paint

1 of 2

verb

painted; painting; paints

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to apply color, pigment, or paint to
(2)
: to color with a cosmetic
b(1)
: to apply with a movement resembling that used in painting
(2)
: to treat with a liquid by brushing or swabbing
paint the wound with iodine
2
a(1)
: to produce in lines and colors on a surface by applying pigments
(2)
: to depict by such lines and colors
b
: to decorate, adorn, or variegate by applying lines and colors
c
: to produce or evoke as if by painting
paints glowing pictures of the farm
3
: to touch up or cover over by or as if by painting
4
: to depict as having specified or implied characteristics
paints them whiter than the evidence justifiesOliver La Farge

intransitive verb

1
: to practice the art of painting
2
: to use cosmetics

paint

2 of 2

noun

1
: the action of painting : something produced by painting
2
: makeup
especially : a cosmetic to add color
3
a(1)
: a mixture of a pigment and a suitable liquid to form a closely adherent coating when spread on a surface in a thin coat
(2)
: the pigment used in this mixture especially when in the form of a cake
a box of paints
b
: an applied coating of paint
4
or paint horse : a horse marked with patches of white and another color : pinto
specifically : american paint horse
5
6
: color manipulation on a computer screen in a manner reminiscent of painting
usually used before another noun
a paint program

Examples of paint in a Sentence

Verb I need to paint the bookcase. We're going to paint the room yellow. The classroom wall was painted with clouds and rainbows. He painted that portrait of his wife. She painted the landscape on a square canvas. I like to draw and my sister likes to paint. The beauty of the world inspires me to paint. He paints mostly in oils. The study paints a bleak picture of the effects of pollution on animal life. Noun Apply paint to the canvas in a series of short strokes. I need more blue paint. The old walls are coated with several layers of paint. a can of latex paint The house needs a fresh coat of paint. The store sells many different paints. Did you chip the paint? The car's paint is cracking.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
His twin brother painted a backdrop and then the lookbook that ensued made its way to online fashion blogs and also got him a spot at the Lagos Fashion Week young designers competition. Ugonnaora Owoh, Essence, 24 Oct. 2024 Washington has assessed the Australian market, and does paint a a brighter picture, albeit one tempered by caution. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
In the post, the Grammy and Oscar winner shared the single’s cover art, which finds her posing face-down on the hood of a white car with the song’s title written upside down in street paint. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2024 Sometimes, a new coat of paint is necessary to curb your bathroom's foul smell and help rid the space of mildew. Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for paint 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French paint, peint, past participle of peindre, from Latin pingere to tattoo, embroider, paint; akin to Old English fāh variegated, Greek poikilos variegated, pikros sharp, bitter

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of paint was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near paint

Cite this Entry

“Paint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paint. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

paint

1 of 2 verb
1
: to apply paint or a covering or coloring substance to
paint a wall
2
a
: to make a picture or design by using paints
paint a portrait
b
: to describe clearly
paint a scene in words
3
: to practice the art of painting

paint

2 of 2 noun
1
2
: a mixture of coloring matter and a suitable liquid to form a thin coating when spread on a surface

More from Merriam-Webster on paint

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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