plein air

1 of 2

adjective

ˌplān-ˈer 

ple-ˈner

1

: of or relating to painting in outdoor daylight

2

: of or relating to a branch of impressionism that attempts to represent outdoor light and air

pleinairism

plā-ˈner-ˌi-zəm 

ple-

noun

pleinairist

plā-ˈner-ist 

ple-

noun

plein air

2 of 2

French adjective

ple-ner 

: open-air : outdoor

Examples of plein air in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The floral design on this linen-cotton fabric looks as if it was painted en plein air. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 12 May 2026

For seven days, plein air painters celebrate the area's tradition of outdoor painting. — Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 27 May 2026

While there, visit the storied Hotel del Coronado for a bite and a tipple en plein air. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026

Tim was mostly sketching en plein air in preparation for paintings commissioned by the Mars Society. — Elena Saavedra Buckley, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, open air

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for plein air

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare