paintbrush

noun paint·brush \ ˈpānt-ˌbrəsh \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of paintbrush

1 : a brush for applying paint

2 a : indian paintbrush 1

b : orange hawkweed

See paintbrush defined for English-language learners

See paintbrush defined for kids

Recent Examples of paintbrush from the Web

Each spring, nature wields a paintbrush over the Bay Area foothills and beyond, bringing forth wildflowers that ignite into spectacular displays across the hills and valleys of Northern California.

— tom stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "Northern California hot spots for spring wildflowers," 12 Apr. 2018
No need to break out the paintbrush or buy a new sofa to get those peaceful, chill Spring vibes.

— danielle blundell, ELLE Decor, "5 Spring Trends to Spruce Up Your Space," 9 Apr. 2018
Honadle has created two portraits so far, a mixed media of Rhiann Glaudini made from torn pages from books with paper flowers attached, and an oil painting of her aunt Zia Megan with textured paintbrush strokes.

— julie gallant, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Students share portraits in Ramona Library," 3 Apr. 2018
Unlike some of her famous forebears among Hudson River Valley artists, who were more likely to use a paintbrush, Ms. Bhabha was wielding an ax.

— ted loos, New York Times, "Huma Bhabha Takes an Ax to Her Exhibit at the Met," 10 Mar. 2018
But unlike a paintbrush, a dirty Beautyblender can result in breakouts and irritated skin — not exactly museum material.

— marissa miller, Teen Vogue, "How to Clean Beautyblenders Using a Microwave," 28 Mar. 2018
While celebrities like Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro are using their words to express opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration, Jim Carrey is turning to his paintbrush.

— mike miller, PEOPLE.com, "Jim Carrey Skewers 'Madman' Donald Trump: Inside Actor's Most Controversial Political Artwork," 21 Mar. 2018
The visual landscape created by Hodgkin’s brightly colored canvas looks like gorgeous strokes of a giant paintbrush cast across the back wall of the Harris Theater.

— lauren warnecke, chicagotribune.com, "There's a fascinating story of crossing cultures at the center of 'Layla and Majnun,’ but the dance doesn’t go far enough," 17 Mar. 2018
Boasting bright reds, dark and light pinks, even a hint of burgundy, all splashed with nature’s paintbrush, this poppy is all about the dazzle.

— earl nickel, San Francisco Chronicle, "Dazzling poppy and calendula brighten the winter garden," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'paintbrush.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of paintbrush

1815

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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PAINTBRUSH Defined for English Language Learners

paintbrush

noun

Definition of paintbrush for English Language Learners

: a brush used for putting paint on a surface

PAINTBRUSH Defined for Kids

paintbrush

noun paint·brush \ ˈpānt-ˌbrəsh \

Definition of paintbrush for Students

: a tool with bristles that is used to apply paint

Learn More about paintbrush

See words that rhyme with paintbrush Spanish Central: Translation of paintbrush Nglish: Translation of paintbrush for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paintbrush

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paintbrush

Definition of paintbrush

Recent Examples of paintbrush from the Web

First Known Use of paintbrush

PAINTBRUSH Defined for English Language Learners

paintbrush

Definition of paintbrush for English Language Learners

PAINTBRUSH Defined for Kids

paintbrush

Definition of paintbrush for Students

Learn More about paintbrush

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paintbrush

Definition of paintbrush

Recent Examples of paintbrush from the Web

First Known Use of paintbrush

PAINTBRUSH Defined for English Language Learners

paintbrush

Definition of paintbrush for English Language Learners

PAINTBRUSH Defined for Kids

paintbrush

Definition of paintbrush for Students

Learn More about paintbrush

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