coloring
/ˈkʌlərɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkʌlərɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkə-lə-riŋ/ (ame, mw)
coloring — noun
1. a substance that you add to food, drinks, or other materials to give them a part
a substance that you add to food, drinks, or other materials to give them a particular color, sold as a liquid, gel, or powder.
Aylin stirred a few drops of red coloring into the icing for her daughter's birthday cake.
collocation: add coloring to [food]; common in baking contexts
The label says the yogurt contains no artificial coloring or flavor.
collocation: artificial coloring; common on food packaging
Many parents prefer juices made with natural coloring from real fruit instead of chemicals.
Mauricio bought green food coloring to make spooky cupcakes for the school party.
A tiny drop of blue coloring turned the whole bowl of frosting a soft pastel shade.
- food coloring
more specific — names the kitchen / baking product directly
- colorant
more technical; covers food, fabric, plastic, and cosmetic additives
- dye
usually a stronger liquid that soaks into fabric or hair rather than food
- tint
implies a light or pale shade rather than a strong color
文法句型
food coloring
artificial / natural coloring
add coloring to [food]
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the fixed phrase 'food coloring' and is regularly modified by 'natural', 'artificial', or a color name. The British spelling is 'colouring'.
常見錯誤
2. the natural color of a person's skin, hair, and eyes, or of an animal's fur or a
the natural color of a person's skin, hair, and eyes, or of an animal's fur or a plant's leaves and flowers.
Mira has the same dark coloring as her grandmother — black hair and deep brown eyes.
common collocation: dark / fair coloring; describing a person
The makeup artist chose a foundation that matched Constanza's fair coloring exactly.
collocation: fair coloring
The bright coloring of the male peacock helps it attract a mate during spring.
Tamar noticed that the autumn coloring of the maple leaves had turned a deep red overnight.
Some breeds of cat have unusual coloring, with one blue eye and one green eye.
- complexion
narrower — only the skin (especially of the face), not hair or eyes
- coloration
more formal / scientific; common in biology when describing animals
- skin tone
only the skin; everyday word in fashion and beauty contexts
文法句型
someone's coloring
fair / dark coloring
the coloring of [animal/plant]
用法筆記
Typically uncountable and possessive when applied to a person (her coloring, his coloring). Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is the color something already has, not a substance you add.
常見錯誤
3. the activity of filling in pictures with crayons, pencils, or paints, especially
the activity of filling in pictures with crayons, pencils, or paints, especially as a quiet activity for children or as a way for adults to relax.
Pim spent the rainy afternoon doing coloring at the kitchen table with her younger brother.
pattern: do (some) coloring; everyday children's activity
The dentist's waiting room had a small table with coloring books and crayons for kids.
fixed phrase: coloring book
Adult coloring has become popular as a quiet way to relax after a stressful day at work.
The teacher printed a new coloring page of farm animals for the kindergarten class.
Obi finished the coloring of the cartoon dragon and proudly stuck it on the fridge.
- coloring in
more explicit phrasal noun; common in British English
- drawing
wider — includes making the outlines, not just filling them
- painting
involves paint and a brush rather than crayons or pencils
文法句型
coloring book
coloring page
do some coloring
用法筆記
Almost always uncountable. Appears in the very common fixed phrases 'coloring book' and 'coloring page'. Distinguish from sense 1 (the substance) and sense 2 (natural appearance).