paint

American  

[peynt] / peɪnt /

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.

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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.

idioms

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

paint British  

/ 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

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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

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

Etymology

Origin of paint

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

Example Sentences

Motions to dismiss charges in the case paint some of the officers as rookies deferring to their superiors.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Several businesses have donated equipment to help with the work, including shelving from Poundland, paint from Dulux and volunteers from Severn Trent Water.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

And the rules governing qualified immunity paint plaintiffs like Gonzalez into a corner.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

The house is due for a new coat of paint, a task they know to approach with caution.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Warren stayed on the boat, with a tin of tar paint and an enormous brush and Ratwin for company, and Nighthand led them into the city.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Related Words

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