Is a mural the same as a painting?

Not exactly. A mural is a painting on a wall or ceiling, usually large.

Is mural a formal word?

It is fairly neutral. You can use it in everyday speech and in academic writing.

What is the difference between a mural and graffiti?

A mural is usually planned and decorative. Graffiti is often quicker, less formal, and may be illegal.

← Dictionary

mural

/ˈmjʊə.rəl/

IELTSAcademic

noun

A mural is a large picture painted or fixed directly on a wall or ceiling. It is often made to decorate a public place or tell a story.

The station has a bright mural on one wall.
Students painted a mural for the school festival.
A new mural celebrates the city's history.

Adinary Nuance

A mural is bigger and more public than a painting. You use it for art made on a wall, not for a picture on paper or canvas. Compared with graffiti, a mural is usually planned, decorative, and often officially allowed.

In other languages

Vietnamese: tranh tường
Spanish: mural
Chinese: 壁画
Japanese: 壁画
Korean: 벽화

Etymology

Mural comes from Latin muralis, meaning “of a wall.” It entered English in the 17th century and originally described anything connected with walls.

Common phrases

paint a murala wall murala mural ofmural art

Synonyms

wall painting fresco painting

Related words

graffiti mosaic artwork ceiling

Frequently asked questions

Is a mural the same as a painting?: Not exactly. A mural is a painting on a wall or ceiling, usually large.
Is mural a formal word?: It is fairly neutral. You can use it in everyday speech and in academic writing.
What is the difference between a mural and graffiti?: A mural is usually planned and decorative. Graffiti is often quicker, less formal, and may be illegal.