paint

1 of 2

verb

painted; painting; paints

transitive verb

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 justifiesOliver La Farge

intransitive verb

1
: to practice the art of painting
2
: to use cosmetics

paint

2 of 2

noun

1
: 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

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 Web
Verb
That should trouble you Gov. Katie Hobbs may have painted herself into a University of Arizona corner Hobbs ended 2023 with a record 143 vetoes. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 This example, painted a stunning Nassau Green, is one of just nine built and one of only six still on the road. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 The stadium was beautiful and open to the sky, and the seats were painted in waves of different shades of blue. Helen Schulman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 The numbers paint a picture of an election led by two unpopular candidates—while Biden has only a 38% favorability rating, Trump’s approval numbers are also weak at 44%. James Farrell, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 To paint the picture, Rodrigo belts her heart out wearing only a bra and hot pants at one point during the concert. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Each factor paints its own picture of the loss and suffering caused by the accident. Kyle Russell, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Three years in, our collection of community life photos and videos, paints a captivating collage of real moments. Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Feb. 2024 Interviews with physicians and attorneys in Alabama, as well as advocates on both sides of the issue nationwide, paint a confusing path forward for IVF clinics trying to interpret the ramifications of the ruling. Sabrina Malhi, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
This roomy caddy hangs out by my daughter’s easel and houses more than 30 of her paint sticks. Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 4 Mar. 2024 Give the furniture piece a fresh paint job that matches the bathroom's palette, then mount it to the wall over the toilet. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 As good as the 49ers have looked this season, Charlotte will likely need Jackson’s paint production and rim protection to advance in the conference tournament, which starts on March 13. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 2 Mar. 2024 Sunreef says the Ras Al Khaimah yard will take a 360-degree approach to yacht manufacturing, with a modern paint shop, as well as carpentry, upholstery, and steel workshops. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024 Investigators also found White’s hands were covered in gold paint and near his body was a gold spray paint can with a bullet hole. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Both players represent a new breed of NBA big man: centers who combine a typical paint presence with guard skills on the perimeter. Sam Joseph, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Today, a chain-link fence wraps around the historic landmark pocked with peeling paint. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 22 Feb. 2024 Texas averages 16 more points a game than opponents in the paint. Mark Rosner, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 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.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French paint, peint, past participle of peindre, from Latin pingere to tattoo, embroider, paint; akin to Old English fāh variegated, Greek poikilos variegated, pikros sharp, bitter

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of paint was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near paint

Cite this Entry

“Paint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paint. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

paint

1 of 2 verb
1
: 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 noun
1
2
: a mixture of coloring matter and a suitable liquid to form a thin coating when spread on a surface

More from Merriam-Webster on paint

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