paint

[ peynt ]

noun

1. a substance composed of solid coloring matter suspended in a liquid medium and applied as a protective or decorative coating to various surfaces, or to canvas or other materials in producing a work of art.
2. an application of this.
3. the dried surface pigment:

   Don't scuff the paint.

4. the solid coloring matter alone; pigment.
5. facial cosmetics, especially lipstick, rouge, etc., designed to heighten natural color.
6. Chiefly Western U.S. a pied, calico, or spotted horse or pony; pinto.

verb (used with object)

1. to coat, cover, or decorate (something) with paint:

   to paint a fence.

2. to produce (a picture, design, etc.) in paint:

   to paint a portrait.

3. to represent in paint, as in oils, tempera, or watercolor:

   to paint an actress as the Muse of tragedy.

4. to depict as if by painting; describe vividly in words:

   The ads painted the resort as a winter wonderland.

5. to color by or as if by painting:

   Sunset painted the clouds pink.

6. to apply a substance to, as a liquid medicine or a cosmetic:

   to paint a cut with iodine.

verb (used without object)

1. to coat or cover anything with paint.
2. to engage in painting as an art:

   She has begun to paint in her spare time.

3. to put on or use facial cosmetics.

paint

/ peɪnt /

noun

1. a substance used for decorating or protecting a surface, esp a mixture consisting of a solid pigment suspended in a liquid, that when applied to a surface dries to form a hard coating
2. a dry film of paint on a surface
3. the solid pigment of a paint before it is suspended in liquid
4. informal.
   face make-up, such as rouge
5. short for greasepaint

verb

1. to make (a picture) of (a figure, landscape, etc) with paint applied to a surface such as canvas
2. to coat (a surface) with paint, as in decorating
3. tr to apply (liquid) onto (a surface)

   her mother painted the cut with antiseptic

4. tr to apply make-up onto (the face, lips, etc)
5. tr to describe vividly in words
6. paint the town red informal.
   to celebrate uninhibitedly; go on a spree

Derived Forms

• ˈpainty, adjective

Other Words From

• painta·ble adjective
• paintless adjective
• outpaint verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of paint¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English peinten (verb), from Old French peint “painted,” past participle of peindre “to paint,” from Latin pingere; picture

Word History and Origins

Origin of paint¹

C13: from Old French peint painted, from peindre to paint, from Latin pingere to paint, adorn

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. paint the town red, Informal. to celebrate boisterously, especially by making a round of stops at bars and nightclubs. Also paint the town.

Example Sentences

That hasn't stopped Republican leaders from painting the victory as a clear sign that their agenda is overwhelmingly popular.

From Salon

His colleague painted a devastating picture of Ms Pelicot’s life since her husband’s crimes had become known.

From BBC

“They have painted California to be so liberal that if we let the rest of the country become like California, the whole operation will collapse,” Horn said.

From Los Angeles Times

Historians say the colonial administrators put down any rebellions and often burnt Naga villages to subdue them, in the process erasing much of their important cultural markers such as paintings, engravings and artefacts.

From BBC

The Florentine Renaissance artist, engineer and polymath made the most famous picture of all time, a painted poplar panel that hangs in virtual isolation in the Salle des États at Paris’ Louvre Museum.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brush
• coat
• cover
• daub
• decorate
• depict
• design
• draw
• dye
• portray
• sketch
• tint
• wash