easel

noun

ea·​sel ˈē-zəl How to pronounce easel (audio)
: a frame for supporting something (such as an artist's canvas)

Illustration of easel

Illustration of easel

Examples of easel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Treasures include antique oil paintings on old easels, silver teapots, bookcases, four-post beds, Persian rugs, fainting sofas, rattan porch chairs, and a smattering of estate accessories, from jewelry to furs, hats to small accouterments. Jenny Adams, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025 The practical use of an easel goes beyond just working on art. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 1 Dec. 2024 The first post features mom and dad standing in front of an easel holding a canvas with paint on it. Devonne Goode, Parents, 5 Mar. 2025 Lenovo also includes a stylus for inking and an easel stand for the tablet. PCMAG, 17 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for easel

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Dutch ezel, literally, "donkey," going back to Middle Dutch esel, going back to Germanic *asil- (whence Old Saxon & Old High German esil "donkey," Old English esol, eosol, Gothic asilus), altered from Latin asinus — more at ass entry 1

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of easel was in 1596

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Easel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/easel. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

easel

noun
ea·​sel ˈē-zəl How to pronounce easel (audio)
: a frame for supporting something (as an artist's canvas)
Etymology

from Dutch ezel "a frame to hold an artist's canvas," literally, "donkey"

Word Origin
An easel is a frame for holding up such things as an artist's painting or a chalkboard. In the 17th century the Dutch had become famous throughout Europe for their oil painting. Thus it was their word ezel, which they used to refer to this piece of equipment, that was borrowed into English around that time. This sense of ezel was an extension of the original meaning "donkey," probably because an easel, like a beast of burden, is used to hold things.

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