coloring
AmericanUsage
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of coloring
late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at color, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Helen Guedez and her brother have chosen to disregard the ominous letter coloring the wall of the building that previously housed their dad, sister and grandmother.
From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026
People who had higher intakes of beta-carotene as a food coloring had a 44% increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, compared with those who had a lower intake.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
Their vivid blue coloring is a result of the microscopic scales on the backs of their wings, which reflect light.
From BBC ● May 8, 2026
This provides a consistent backdrop of pink foliage, allowing an insect with similar coloring to remain hidden from predators.
From Science Daily ● May 2, 2026
After seeing it, Michelangelo is said to have praised Titian’s coloring and style but criticized his sense of design.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
If the Renaissance had been known as the Resurrection, might we be more aware of the period’s metaphysical colorings?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2025
Examples that can be found around us include various amino acids, including monosodium glutamate, food proteins, enzymes, flavoring compounds, food colorings, and bioactive substances.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 12, 2024
“It sounds like ‘burglar,’ and I wanted a ferret with the traditional colorings with that burglar’s mask.”
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2024
You can also dye the icing with natural food colorings, from red and orange to green and blue; more on those variations here.
From Salon ● Apr. 8, 2022
It must be stripped of all its artificial colorings and superfluities.
From Tyranny of God by Lewis, Joseph
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
