easel

[ ee-zuhl ]

noun

1. a stand or frame for supporting or displaying at an angle an artist's canvas, a blackboard, a china plate, etc.
2. Also called masking frame. Photography. a frame, often with adjustable masks, used to hold photographic paper flat and control borders when printing enlargements.

easel

/ ˈiːzəl /

noun

1. a frame, usually in the form of an upright tripod, used for supporting or displaying an artist's canvas, blackboard, etc

Other Words From

• easeled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of easel¹

1625–35; < Dutch ezel ass, easel (cognate with German Esel, Old English esel ass) < Vulgar Latin *asilus, for Latin asellus, diminutive of asinus ass ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of easel¹

C17: from Dutch ezel ass ¹; related to Gothic asilus, German Esel, Latin asinus ass

Example Sentences

Santa Barbara’s Bellosguardo Estate include an art studio full of paintings by and of heiress Huguette Clark, who is seen in the work on the easel.

From Los Angeles Times

“I could scratch the creative itch that I knew was in me, but it didn’t require me to sit at an easel for weeks on end,” she said.

From New York Times

As well as easel, painting tables and lighting, they had to "cover all the carpets in sheets so we didn't damage these priceless carpets".

From BBC

A painting of Graham stood on an easel at the front of the chapel, his wife of 65 years, Adele, dabbing her eyes as she sat in the first pew with their family.

From Seattle Times

If you want to paint along, Hankins said you need basic materials like oil colors, an easel, canvas, and brushes.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• tripod