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 WebMichael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
All in all, the Fed’s Beige Book paints a far more pessimistic picture of the U.S. economy than recent data suggest.
—Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
The notice also paints a picture of a department with a locker-room atmosphere, where Kwong and some of his staff were fixated on the genitalia of patients.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
But the data doesn't always paint a complete picture as reported in a 2016 Republic investigation.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
That wasn’t always the case: in 1980, commissioner Larry O’Brien painted an image of a league where race barely mattered.
—TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Just as the singer’s recent Spotify exhibit included subtle clues about her lyrics and personal life, the short clip further paints a picture.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
The state audit painted a bleak picture of how an often chaotic California Employment Development Department has dealt with the overpayments.
—David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024
At the time, streaming was painted as theaters’ archnemesis.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Jeremy W. Peters, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
From fresh paint to landscaping, these are the projects experts say draw the most eyes to your property.
—Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2024
Herro whipped the ball from the paint to the corner, a feat seldom witnessed during game action.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Last year alone, vandals sprayed red paint on trees, rocks and cairns at Acadia National Park; smashed windows and kicked in doors at Mammoth Cave National Park; and damaged the historic church at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Can Curry break the paint? With Domantas Sabonis, the Kings have to build their defense around a center who struggles with protecting the rim.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
The new model’s boxy exterior and available two-tone paint consciously recall the 1958 Land Cruiser that was one of Toyota’s first successes in the American market, while its price and features establish it as one of the brand’s modern flagships.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024
But Take Note The paint is not very high quality and may need multiple coats.
—Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024
The artist then applied the paint using a small metal tool, applying thick strokes of paint for a textured, 3D appearance.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Verb
The Housing Commission staff painted a dire picture of potential impacts of the mayor’s budget.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
All in all, the Fed’s Beige Book paints a far more pessimistic picture of the U.S. economy than recent data suggest.
—Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
The notice also paints a picture of a department with a locker-room atmosphere, where Kwong and some of his staff were fixated on the genitalia of patients.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
But the data doesn't always paint a complete picture as reported in a 2016 Republic investigation.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
That wasn’t always the case: in 1980, commissioner Larry O’Brien painted an image of a league where race barely mattered.
—TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Just as the singer’s recent Spotify exhibit included subtle clues about her lyrics and personal life, the short clip further paints a picture.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
The state audit painted a bleak picture of how an often chaotic California Employment Development Department has dealt with the overpayments.
—David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024
At the time, streaming was painted as theaters’ archnemesis.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
Some threw red paint to simulate blood; others occupied major thoroughfares to shut down traffic.
—Jeremy W. Peters, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
From fresh paint to landscaping, these are the projects experts say draw the most eyes to your property.
—Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2024
Herro whipped the ball from the paint to the corner, a feat seldom witnessed during game action.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Last year alone, vandals sprayed red paint on trees, rocks and cairns at Acadia National Park; smashed windows and kicked in doors at Mammoth Cave National Park; and damaged the historic church at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Can Curry break the paint? With Domantas Sabonis, the Kings have to build their defense around a center who struggles with protecting the rim.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
The new model’s boxy exterior and available two-tone paint consciously recall the 1958 Land Cruiser that was one of Toyota’s first successes in the American market, while its price and features establish it as one of the brand’s modern flagships.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024
But Take Note The paint is not very high quality and may need multiple coats.
—Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 13 Apr. 2024
The artist then applied the paint using a small metal tool, applying thick strokes of paint for a textured, 3D appearance.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 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 25 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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