Part of Speech

Noun, Verb (present participle)

Pronunciation

/ˈkʌlərɪŋ/

Definitions

1. (Noun) The act of adding or applying color to something, especially in a creative or artistic manner.

2. (Noun) A design or picture that has been colored, often with crayons, paints, or digital tools.

3. (Verb) Present participle of the verb "colour," meaning the act of giving something color or hue.

Usage Examples

1. The children enjoyed their afternoon of colouring pictures of animals.

2. The artist's colouring of the landscape brought the scene to life.

3. She was colouring the page with bright red and yellow hues.

Etymology

The word "colouring" derives from the verb "colour," which comes from the Old French "colorer" (to color) and the Latin "colorare" (to color, embellish). The suffix "-ing" indicates the present participle or gerund form, signifying the ongoing action of applying color.

Synonyms

Painting, tinting, shading, dyeing, embellishing, enhancing, highlighting

Antonyms

Bleaching, dulling, fading, whitening

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

Pronunciation of "colouring" may vary between accents. In British English, it is typically pronounced with a clear "r" sound, while in American English, the "r" may be softer or less pronounced. In some dialects, "colouring" may be shortened to "coloring" (without the "u").

Historical Usage

The term "colouring" has been used since the 14th century to describe the act of applying color, initially to objects or manuscripts. As printing and art developed, it extended to include both natural and artificial methods of adding hue. The term became increasingly associated with artistic endeavors, such as painting and drawing, and is now used more broadly in creative and digital contexts.

Cultural Nuances

Colouring is often seen as a form of self-expression and creativity. In many cultures, children are encouraged to engage in colouring activities to develop motor skills, creativity, and color recognition. In other contexts, colouring has symbolic meanings, such as using specific colours for rituals or ceremonies. For example, in many cultures, red is used for happiness or celebration, while black may represent mourning or solemnity.

More Information

Colouring is an important aspect of many art forms, ranging from traditional methods like painting and sketching to digital methods used in graphic design and multimedia. It allows for the exploration of emotional and aesthetic responses, with different colours evoking various feelings and moods. In recent years, adult colouring books have become popular as a way to relax and de-stress, proving that colouring is not just for children but an enjoyable and therapeutic activity for people of all ages.