aquarelle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialist/formal)Formal, artistic
Quick answer
What does “aquarelle” mean?
A painting or picture made with transparent watercolours.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A painting or picture made with transparent watercolours.
An artistic technique or style characterised by the use of transparent watercolour washes, or a painting made using such a technique. Can sometimes refer more broadly to works with a light, delicate, and luminous quality reminiscent of watercolour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly more common in UK art historical and critical contexts, but still a specialised term in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries connotations of artistry, delicacy, and traditional fine arts.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties; used primarily within art communities, museums, and auction houses. 'Watercolour' is the vastly more common, everyday term.
Grammar
How to Use “aquarelle” in a Sentence
[create/paint/make] + an aquarellework in + aquarellean aquarelle + [of/depicting] + NOUN PHRASEVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aquarelle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The artist chose to aquarelle the landscape, capturing the misty morning light.
American English
- She aquarelled the garden scene with remarkable speed and fluidity.
adverb
British English
- (Extremely rare – No standard adverbial form in use.)
American English
- (Extremely rare – No standard adverbial form in use.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in auction catalogues or gallery listings to describe works (e.g., 'Lot 42: An aquarelle of the Venetian lagoon').
Academic
Used in art history and fine arts papers to describe specific works or techniques with precision.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Most speakers would use 'watercolour'.
Technical
Precise term within painting and conservation to specify the use of transparent, not opaque, watercolour media.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aquarelle”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aquarelle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aquarelle”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'watercolour' in casual conversation. Mispronouncing it as /ˈæk.wə.rɛl/ (stressing the first syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes, but with a key nuance. 'Aquarelle' specifically refers to the technique and results of using transparent watercolours. 'Watercolour' can be a broader term that sometimes includes opaque forms like gouache.
It is most common in formal art contexts: museum descriptions, auction house catalogues, academic art history texts, and high-end art galleries. In everyday conversation, 'watercolour' is standard.
It is borrowed from French in the 19th century, itself derived from the obsolete French 'aquarelle' and Italian 'acquarella' or 'acquarello', meaning 'watercolour', from Latin 'aqua' meaning 'water'.
Yes, but it is very rare and considered a back-formation (creating a verb from a noun). While grammatically possible (e.g., 'to aquarelle a scene'), it is stylistically marked and unlikely outside of poetic or very specific artistic descriptions. 'Paint in watercolour' is the normal phrasing.
A painting or picture made with transparent watercolours.
Aquarelle is usually formal, artistic in register.
Aquarelle: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæk.wəˈrɛl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑː.kwəˈrɛl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None applicable”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'AQUA' (water) and 'RELLE' sounding like 'real' – a 'real water' painting.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARTISTIC DELICACY IS LUMINOUS TRANSPARENCY (e.g., 'Her prose had an aquarelle-like lightness').
Practice
Quiz
The primary characteristic of an 'aquarelle' is the use of: