coloring

[ kuhl-er-ing ]

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.

Other Words From

• non·color·ing adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of coloring¹

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

Example Sentences

Typically, plant-based meat alternatives are made using nonanimal proteins, as well as chemical compounds that enhance the flavor, fats, coloring agents and binding agents.

From Salon

If the ingredients include things such as “organic tapioca starch” or “pea protein isolate,” or even natural coloring, you might reconsider.

From Los Angeles Times

Now she’s working on a coloring book and hoping to find “a stable place for this museum to be ... for our children to see their worth,” she told Lerew.

From Los Angeles Times

Bragging that she’d mingled with Il Duce’s fascist forces, she tells her rapt students that on the occasion, “I wore my silk dress with red poppies, which is right for my coloring.”

From Salon

They just see play, and before you know it you went the whole day without stressing because you’re coloring or running around or swimming or whatever.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• complexion
• shading

How Do You Spell Coloring?

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.