coloring

American  

[kuhl-er-ing] / ˈkʌl ər ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or method of applying color.

2. appearance as to color.

   healthy coloring.

3. a substance used to color something.

   food coloring made from vegetable dyes.

4. aspect or tone.

   The ethical coloring of the story balanced the rawness of its language.

5. specious appearance; show.

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Usage

Spelling tips for coloring The word coloring is hard to spell for two reasons. First, it can be tempting to use a double l or double r. Second, in British English, the word is spelled with a u (colouring), unlike in American English. How to spell coloring: When it comes to color, keep it simple. Too much color, and too many letters, is distracting. You don't need any extra letters, like a double l, double r, or u. Then, you add the suffix -ing to the base word color to form coloring.

Other Word Forms

• noncoloring adjective

Etymology

Origin of coloring

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; color, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

He launched a similar inquiry into Kellogg’s, suggesting it had deceptively marketed its cereals, as if it were some scandalous secret that Froot Loops contain food coloring.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

That said, the weakness in software stocks appears to be coloring Wall Street analysts’ forecasts.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026

In the case of food coloring, Faber said those agreements were made possible because the Republican-leaning West Virginia in 2025 enacted a broad ban on synthetic dyes, setting a new standard.

From Barron's • Jan. 15, 2026

Excelling in multiple art forms, Nelson, too, is renowned for coloring outside the lines.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

It was such an intense look, I felt myself coloring.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• complexion
• shading