Word
watercolor
Phoneticswa·ter·col·or, stress on the first syllable
/ˈwɔtɝˌkəɫɝ/
UK spelling · watercolour
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a type of paint that you mix with water to use. It is also the name for a picture painted with this style of paint.
n. a pigment used with water as a medium to create paintings; also refers to a work of art produced using this method.
Examples
“She is learning how to paint a sunset with watercolor.”
“The artist chose watercolor for the landscape because the transparent colors captured the morning mist perfectly.”
“While oil paints offer rich texture, watercolor allows for a delicate layering of washes that can evoke a sense of light and atmosphere difficult to achieve with heavier media.”
Examples
simple
“She is learning how to paint a sunset with watercolor.”
contextual
“The artist chose watercolor for the landscape because the transparent colors captured the morning mist perfectly.”
complex
“While oil paints offer rich texture, watercolor allows for a delicate layering of washes that can evoke a sense of light and atmosphere difficult to achieve with heavier media.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the medium or paint itself; countable when referring to individual paintings.
Etymology
From water + color.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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