pinto
Americanadjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of pinto
An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; from Spanish, from Vulgar Latin pinctus (unattested) “painted”; see pinta
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
And of course there is a piñata, in the shape of a sun and studded with local dried pinto beans, to represent the most joyful of picnic activities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026
As a child in Northern California, he grew up eating tostadas with refried pinto beans.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 10, 2026
Steven Ness, who grows pinto beans and pumpkins in central New Mexico, said the rising cost of irrigation as groundwater dwindles is an issue across the board for farmers in the region.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 29, 2023
Let's start with beans: black beans, lentils, chickpeas, pinto and kidney beans are all excellent sources of healthy protein, low in fat and high in fiber.
From Salon ● Mar. 27, 2023
“My mama sent pinto beans,” she announced, placing it on the table.
From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper
When he discovered black beans, he found them downright exotic—inky, fudgy, definitely not the same old pintos.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 10, 2026
Black beans bring a deeper, earthier tone; pintos are soft and nutty, more traditional.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2025
Hard to imagine in their tiny shells today, pintos can grow to the size of an adult’s hand.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 14, 2021
Any white bean you’d like, or even pintos or chickpeas.
From Washington Post ● May 10, 2020
At another open window on the same side of the house, the one next to the sink where Hagar washed her hair and where Reba put pintos to soak, a woman’s face appeared.
From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
