What does watercolour mean?
Watercolour is the British name for a water-based painting medium made by combining pigment with water and a soluble binder such as gum arabic. Applied to paper, it is valued for the luminous washes, soft transitions, and transparency traditionally associated with the technique. By extension, the word can also mean an individual artwork: “a watercolour of the coast” normally refers to a painting rather than a tin of paint. Watercolour is especially associated with British, Commonwealth, and American artistic traditions, although the spelling watercolor is standard in the United States. The medium is commonly associated with landscapes, architectural sketches, botanical studies, and illustration, but it is also used for portraits and contemporary abstract work. Although watercolour is sometimes contrasted with gouache, modern watercolours can contain opaque or strongly pigmented areas, so the two media are not always sharply separated in practice.
A water-based paint made with pigment and a soluble binder such as gum arabic; also, a painting or illustration made with this medium.
"The gallery acquired several small watercolours from the artist."
A singular watercolour can refer either to the paint or to a particular artwork, depending on context.
To paint or illustrate using watercolour.
"She watercolours botanical specimens in her field notebook."
This verb use is uncommon; “to paint in watercolour” is often more idiomatic.
The plural may refer to several paintings or artworks, or to multiple quantities or types of watercolour paint.
"The exhibition brought together watercolours from several regional artists."
Watercolour is colour put on paper with water in the mix.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of watercolour
Watercolour is an English compound formed from water and colour, and the compound has been used since early modern English. Colour entered English through Old French couleur, which derives from Latin color. Other colour-family words, including colourful, discolour, and colourless, inherit this same Romance etymon.
Related word forms
How watercolour is actually used
The word is strongly associated with British English and is also common in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth varieties. The verb use is uncommon in ordinary speech; “to paint in watercolour” is often more idiomatic.
Easily confused with watercolour
Watercolour is the standard British spelling, while watercolor is the standard American spelling; both refer to the same painting medium and its uses.