painted; painting; paints
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 justifies—
Oliver La Farge
Oliver La Farge1
: 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
Synonyms
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 WebChristi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
James McNeill Whistler painted his mother in profile.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
His large eyes were lined with kohl, and his lips were painted a moist pink.
—Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Republicans have largely painted those charges as politically motivated, and many in the GOP have acknowledged the indictments have only bolstered Trump’s support with his base.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Below, on the field of the university’s Saluki Stadium, a dance troupe performed between end zones painted deep maroon.
—USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Taking the stand in his defense, Larry tries to paint himself as a hero, yet Earl’s cross-examination revisits many of Larry’s trials and tribulations, going back to the series’ first season.
—William Earl, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
But Americans’ attitudes towards the economy have soured and lower-income consumers have pulled back their spending, painting a mixed picture of the economy’s health.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
The midtown Tres Hermanas remains the flagship, its colorful walls and weaving iron vines painting a quaint interior that fills up even during weekday lunches.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 4 Apr. 2024
Kadish Morris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Items that will not be accepted are yard waste, tires, car batteries, used motor oil, antifreeze, herbicides, pesticides, paint, liquids of any kind, fluorescent bulbs and construction materials.
—Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 9 Apr. 2024
Many times Clark would penetrate the paint but be unable to create a layup as Cardoso loomed large.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
Artists perched around Bellerby's London studio painstakingly blend and apply paint — dreamy cobalt and mint for the oceans, yellow, greens and ochre for the landscape.
—Laurie Kellman, Quartz, 7 Apr. 2024
Well With: Mama Stretch Bracelet Vivia Colors Travel Watercolor Paint Kit
Buy on Uncommon Goods
This watercolor paint kit will occupy her during a long travel day or just give her a break from the busyness of everyday life.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2024
Eight verses, sung in syrupy low notes and flighty harmonies, paint scenes of cyclical conflict and resolution.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2024
Customers can also choose from more than 50 BMW individual special paint finishes, including turban green, petrol mica metallic, anglesey green metallic and sepia metallic.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
Murals registered with the city are listed in an online database and receive a coat of protective paint free of charge.
—Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
At the time, streaming was painted as theaters’ archnemesis.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
James McNeill Whistler painted his mother in profile.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
His large eyes were lined with kohl, and his lips were painted a moist pink.
—Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Republicans have largely painted those charges as politically motivated, and many in the GOP have acknowledged the indictments have only bolstered Trump’s support with his base.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Below, on the field of the university’s Saluki Stadium, a dance troupe performed between end zones painted deep maroon.
—USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Taking the stand in his defense, Larry tries to paint himself as a hero, yet Earl’s cross-examination revisits many of Larry’s trials and tribulations, going back to the series’ first season.
—William Earl, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
But Americans’ attitudes towards the economy have soured and lower-income consumers have pulled back their spending, painting a mixed picture of the economy’s health.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
The midtown Tres Hermanas remains the flagship, its colorful walls and weaving iron vines painting a quaint interior that fills up even during weekday lunches.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
How dirty my work process is — the shreds of glue, paint and paper that lead to my studio.
—Kadish Morris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Items that will not be accepted are yard waste, tires, car batteries, used motor oil, antifreeze, herbicides, pesticides, paint, liquids of any kind, fluorescent bulbs and construction materials.
—Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 9 Apr. 2024
Many times Clark would penetrate the paint but be unable to create a layup as Cardoso loomed large.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
Artists perched around Bellerby's London studio painstakingly blend and apply paint — dreamy cobalt and mint for the oceans, yellow, greens and ochre for the landscape.
—Laurie Kellman, Quartz, 7 Apr. 2024
Well With: Mama Stretch Bracelet Vivia Colors Travel Watercolor Paint Kit
Buy on Uncommon Goods
This watercolor paint kit will occupy her during a long travel day or just give her a break from the busyness of everyday life.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2024
Eight verses, sung in syrupy low notes and flighty harmonies, paint scenes of cyclical conflict and resolution.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2024
Customers can also choose from more than 50 BMW individual special paint finishes, including turban green, petrol mica metallic, anglesey green metallic and sepia metallic.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
Murals registered with the city are listed in an online database and receive a coat of protective paint free of charge.
—Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Paint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paint. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paint
1 of 2 verb1
: 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 noun1
2
: a mixture of coloring matter and a suitable liquid to form a thin coating when spread on a surface
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