coloring

noun

col·​or·​ing ˈkə-lə-riŋ 

1

a

: the act of applying colors

b

: something that produces color or color effects

c(1)

: the effect produced by applying or combining colors

(2)

: natural color

(3)

: complexion, coloration

d

: change of appearance (as by adding color)

2

: influence, bias

3

: color sense 8

4

: timbre, quality

Synonyms

• color
• colorant
• dye
• dyestuff
• pigment
• stain

Examples of coloring in a Sentence

Her favorite activities include playing with stuffed animals and coloring.

Our product contains no artificial coloring or flavoring.

She added some blue food coloring to the icing.

This scarf will look great with your coloring.

He has very light coloring.

Recent Examples on the Web

The new species was identified by its scale arrangement, coloring, body size and other subtle physical features, the study said. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025

Divide in batches, and tint each with a different color of pastel food coloring, if desired. —Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2025

The bottom can also at times be limestone, not squishy mud, which again contributes to the unique coloring. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025

Some companies are working on creating natural food colorings from compounds found in plants like beetroot or spirulina, a blue-green algae. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing coloring

• coloring book

Kids Definition

coloring

noun

col·​or·​ing ˈkəl-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: the act of applying colors

2

: something that produces color

food coloring

3

: the effect produced by applying or combining colors

4

: complexion sense 1, coloration

5

: change of appearance (as by adding color)