painterly

adjective

paint·​er·​ly ˈpān-tər-lē How to pronounce painterly (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or typical of a painter : artistic
painterly attention to detail
2
: suggestive or characteristic of a painting or of the art of painting
painterly photography
especially : marked by an openness of form which is not linear and in which sharp outlines are lacking
painterly brushwork
painterliness noun

Examples of painterly in a Sentence

He has a painterly eye. a painterly picture of the sea
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.
Squash blossoms arrive delicately filled and citrusy, topped with herbs and micro flowers that add a painterly touch. Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 From sleek penthouses to historic Shingle-style homes, Planeta brings a painterly elegance to every project. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2025 With their painterly motifs, interesting shapes, and natural materials, these gorgeous pieces are worth using year-round. Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025 Abstract Expressionism, a painterly movement that trumpeted drippy strokes and flat canvases, was still in vogue when Whitten enrolled at Cooper Union in 1960. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for painterly

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of painterly was circa 1586

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Cite this Entry

“Painterly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painterly. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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