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

White velvet cake is a distant cousin to classic Red Velvet Cake and Blue Velvet Cake, but without the cocoa powder and food coloring. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2024

Another photo shows the muted brown coloring of a juvenile Tenkasi dwarf gecko. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 18 June 2024

Elvers mature into adults two to three feet in length, with the girth and the coloring of a slimy bicycle tire. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024

Beets or foods made with red food coloring can cause red spots in stool. —Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 17 June 2024

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)