watercolors
[wˈɔtɚkˌʌlɚz] /ˈwȯ-tər-ˌkə-lər How to pronounce watercolor (audio) ˈwä-/ (ame, mw)
watercolors — noun
1. A colored powder that dissolves in water and is used by artists for painting, or
A colored powder that dissolves in water and is used by artists for painting, or a painting made with this kind of material.
Jiwoo bought a new set of watercolors and began painting sunflowers.
set of watercolors — the paint as a product
The art teacher showed the children how to mix watercolors on a ceramic plate.
mix watercolors — preparing paint before use
Each watercolor in the hall captured a different moment of the morning rain.
Selim's watercolor of an old bridge won praise from everyone at the exhibition.
A single set of watercolors can produce hundreds of gentle color tones.
- watercolour
British spelling variant; same meaning and usage
- oil paint
a different type of paint that is mixed with oil instead of water
文法句型
set of watercolors
a watercolor [painting]
in watercolor(s)
用法筆記
The plural form 'watercolors' is standard when naming the paint as a product ('She opened her box of watercolors'). The countable singular 'watercolor' is used for a single finished painting ('a lovely watercolor of a fishing boat').
常見錯誤
2. The skill or activity of painting on paper with colors that are mixed with water
The skill or activity of painting on paper with colors that are mixed with water, including the methods and techniques this process involves.
Nora prefers watercolors to oil paints because the colors dry much faster.
prefer watercolors to [other medium]
The workshop introduced the basics of watercolors to a group of adult learners.
basics of watercolors
In watercolors, the paper itself often creates the light areas of the picture.
Bao studied watercolors under a famous artist who lived in the mountains.
- watercolour painting
a longer, more explicit way to name the technique
- watercolor painting
American spelling of the same phrase
- oil painting
a contrasting technique that uses oil-based paints
文法句型
study watercolors
learn watercolors
teach watercolors
the art of watercolors
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — you cannot say 'a watercolors' or 'watercolors are an art form'. Use 'watercolor' (singular) when referring to the technique as a field of study or practice.