brushstroke
/ˈbrʌʃ.strəʊk/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A mark or stroke made by a brush, especially in painting. It can also mean the style or technique shown by those marks.
- The artist used quick brushstrokes.
- Each brushstroke changed the whole picture.
- You can see her brushstrokes clearly.
Adinary Nuance
Brushstroke is more specific than stroke. A stroke can be made by a pen, brush, or hand, but a brushstroke is only made with a brush. Writers use brushstroke when they want to talk about painting style, texture, or the visible touch of the artist.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nét cọ
- Spanish
- pincelada
- Chinese
- 笔触
- Japanese
- 筆致
- Korean
- 붓질
Etymology
Brushstroke is made from brush + stroke. It appears in English in the 1800s, especially in art writing.
Common phrases
broad brushstrokesbolder brushstrokesvisible brushstrokes
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is brushstroke only used for painting?
- Mostly, yes. It usually describes marks made by a paintbrush.
- What is the difference between brushstroke and stroke?
- A brushstroke is a stroke made with a brush. Stroke is wider and more general.
- Can I use brushstroke in writing about style?
- Yes. It can describe an artist's style or touch.