3 syllables: col, or, ing. Stress on col.
KUHL-ur-ing
/ˈkʌlɚɪŋ/
coloring is pronounced KUHL-ur-ing (/ˈkʌlɚɪŋ/). It has three syllables (col-or-ing), with the stress on "col". Coloring refers to the act or process of adding color to something, or to coloring materials themselves. It can describe both the result (a colored object) and the process (applying dyes or pigments). In everyday usage, it also functions as a figurative term for painting or shading in art and design contexts. The term spans craft, education, and creative professions.
Coloring refers to the act or process of adding color to something, or to coloring materials themselves. It can describe both the result (a colored object) and the process (applying dyes or pigments). In everyday usage, it also functions as a figurative term for painting or shading in art and design contexts. The term spans craft, education, and creative professions.
"The coloring of the fabric requires multiple dye baths to achieve the desired shade."
"She is practicing coloring techniques with colored pencils for her illustration project."
"The coloring in the map helps distinguish different regions clearly."
Pronounce as /ˈkʌ.lə.rɪŋ/ in US and UK; in American speech the syllables are clearly demarcated as CO-LO-RING, with the stress on the first syllable. Start with a short /ʌ/ in the first syllable, then a neutral /ə/ in the second, and a final /rɪŋ/ cluster. For careful articulation, you can say /ˈkʌ.lə.rɪŋ/ slowly, then blend to /ˈkələrɪŋ/ in faster speech. In Australian English, you’ll hear a similar pattern but with subtle vowel shifts: /ˈkɔː.lə.rɪŋ/ may occur depending on speaker. Practice by linking the second and third syllables: /lə.rɪŋ/.”,
Common mistakes include pronouncing the second syllable as a full /aʊ/ like coloring with a bright 'ow' sound, or reducing the middle /ə/ too much, making it sound like /ˈkəlrɪŋ/. Correct those by keeping the middle syllable a clear schwa /ə/ or a near-schwa, and articulating the /l/ and /r/ transitions smoothly. Ensure the final -ing is /ɪŋ/ with no extra vowel. Record yourself saying /ˈkʌ.lə.rɪŋ/ and compare to a native speaker, then adjust the middle vowel toward a neutral /ə/ without vowel reduction to the point of obscurity.
In US English, the first syllable has a short /ʌ/ (as in cup), with a rhotic /ɹ/ in the final cluster and a clear /ˈkʌ.lə.rɪŋ/. UK English tends to have a slightly more clipped /ˈkɒl.ə.rɪŋ/ with a less rhotic influence, and Australians often merge vowels toward /ˈkɔ.lə.rɪŋ/ with some vowel flattening. The final /ɪŋ/ remains consistent across accents, but the quality of the middle /ə/ and the influence of rhoticity can shift the overall vowel coloration. Practice listening to regionally varied recordings to feel the subtle shifts.
The difficulty comes from the three-syllable structure with a light, unstressed middle syllable and a final nasal cluster. The /l/ and /ɹ/ transitions require precise tongue movement, especially to avoid blending into /kolderɪŋ/ or a mispronounced /kaʊ/. Additionally, the schwa in the middle syllable can become reduced in fast speech, making the word sound like /ˈkɒlɪŋ/ unless you maintain a clear /lə/ sequence. Focus on a sturdy /ˈkʌ.lə.rɪŋ/ to avoid common slurs.
The word has a medial syllable /lə/ that can easily swallow the preceding /l/ or the following /r/ depending on the speaker. Some speakers link the middle and final syllables, producing /lə.rɪŋ/ in rapid speech. To maintain clarity, practice the sequence /ˈkʌ.lə.rɪŋ/ slowly, then speed up while keeping the /l/ and /ɹ/ distinct. The unique feature here is the potential for rhoticity effects in American speech, which changes the perceived position of the /ɹ/ in the final cluster.
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Coloring derives from color, from Latin color via Old French colo(u)r and later Middle English colour. The modern noun coloring (American English) emerged in the 19th century to denote the act of applying color. Its verb form color, originally from Latin color, evolved in English to denote the action of giving color, tint, or shade. The evolution reflects both artistic practice and material culture, where pigments and dyes were central to art, textiles, and printing. The -ing suffix marks ongoing action or the resulting state, aligning the word with processes and products in crafts, education, and aesthetics. First known uses appear in manuscript glosses and early printed books where “coloring” described both fabrics dyed in color and drawings shaded with color. Over time, coloring also broadened to digital contexts (coloring pixels, UI design), maintaining its core meaning of adding or enhancing color. In contemporary usage, it spans tangible pigments and metaphorical coloring in narratives and descriptions. It remains a versatile term in both professional and home settings, with regional spelling differences (coloring vs colour ing) reflecting American and British conventions; however, both refer to the same core process of imparting color.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "coloring" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "coloring"
-ing sounds
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