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noun Uncommon

coloring

Coloring (noun) means the act of adding color to something, such as a picture. Example: “The toddler spent an hour coloring in her new book.”

noun
1
The act of adding color to something, such as a picture.
"The toddler spent an hour coloring in her new book."
2
A substance added to food or products to give them color.
"The cake had a bright red tint from food coloring."

How to Use Coloring

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the act of adding color, or a substance used to color something like food.

UK vs US

American spelling; British English uses "colouring."

Easily confused with
Common pairings
food coloring coloring book hair coloring

Word Forms

more coloring comparative, colorings plural, most coloring superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The toddler spent an hour _____ in her new book.

coloration pigmentation tint hue dye

Related Words

Rhymes for coloring

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “coloring” mean?

The word “coloring” means the act of adding color to something, such as a picture. In plain terms, either the act of adding color, or a substance used to color something like food.

How do you use “coloring” in a sentence?

Here is “coloring” used in a sentence: “The toddler spent an hour coloring in her new book.”

What part of speech is “coloring”?

“Coloring” is a noun.

Is “coloring” a common word?

“Coloring” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “coloring” have?

“Coloring” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of adding color to something, such as a picture.

What is the difference between 'coloring' and 'colouring'?

'Coloring' is the American English spelling and 'colouring' is the British English spelling of the same word, both referring to the act of adding color to something, or a substance added to give color. There is no difference in meaning, only in regional spelling convention.

Is food coloring the same as food dye?

Food coloring and food dye both refer to substances added to food or products to give them color, and the terms are largely interchangeable. 'Coloring' is the more common general term, while 'dye' can suggest a more concentrated or chemical additive.

Does 'coloring' only refer to art activities like coloring books?

No, while 'coloring' commonly refers to the act of adding color to a picture, such as in a coloring book, it also refers to substances added to food or other products to give them color, a distinct sense from the artistic activity.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial