noun

watercolor

/ˈwɔːtərˌkʌlər/ · say it: WOR·ter·kul·er

translucent paint made with water-soluble pigment

In Arts & Culture

In more detail

1. (noun) a type of paint made from powdered pigments that dissolve in water

2. (noun) a painting made with watercolor paints

Examples

1. She bought a set of watercolors at the art store.
2. The watercolor on the wall showed a beautiful landscape.

How to use watercolor

Watercolor refers to both the paint medium itself and finished paintings created with it. The term is used in artistic contexts and emphasizes the translucent, flowing quality of the medium. It is the standard term in American English, while 'watercolour' is the British spelling.

Common phrases

watercolor painting
watercolor artist
watercolor technique
watercolor pigment
in watercolor
watercolor sketch

Synonyms

watercolour · aquarelle · wash · tempera

Word family

watercolorist · watercolored

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'watercolor' as an adjective without understanding that it functions both as a noun for the medium and as a descriptor (e.g., 'a watercolor painting' rather than simply 'a watercolor').

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