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. informal,  to celebrate uninhibitedly; go on a spree

Other Word Forms

• paintable adjective
• paintless adjective
• outpaint verb (used with object)
• painty adjective

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

Example Sentences

The numbers painted a clear picture of the Eagles’ issues.

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All told, it paints a bleak picture of both the 73-year-old’s chances to fix a college program—and to revitalize his own career in the process.

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Foreigners were astonished to see that even ordinary Dutch homes displayed paintings.

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For six months, the actor spent more time in monster makeup than out of it, with muscled prosthetics layered onto his body and deep fissures painted onto his skin.

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Upstairs, the exhibition highlights 19th-century innovations, including the introduction of colored porcelain in celadon, and enameled, painted and gilded pieces.

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Related Words

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