paint
/peɪnt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To cover a surface with paint. You also use it for making a picture with paint or another colouring medium.
- We painted the kitchen white.
- She painted a landscape yesterday.
- They painted the wall in one day.
noun
A coloured liquid that you put on walls, wood, or other surfaces to protect or decorate them. It can also mean the material used in art.
- The paint is still wet.
- We need more blue paint.
- He bought paint for the bedroom.
Adinary Nuance
Paint is the general word for applying colour to a surface or making an artwork with colour. It is different from colour, which names the hue, and from decorate, which is broader and can include many actions. In British and Indian English, paint is very common for walls and buildings.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sơn
- Spanish
- pintar
- Chinese
- 油漆
- Japanese
- 塗る
- Korean
- 페인트
Etymology
Paint came into English from Old French peindre, from Latin pingere, meaning 'to decorate or colour'. The word has been used in English since the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
paint a wallpaint a picturepaint in watercoloursfresh paint
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is paint a verb or a noun?
- It is both. As a verb, it means to apply paint. As a noun, it means the coloured liquid itself.
- What is the difference between paint and colour?
- Paint is the material or action. Colour is the shade, like red, blue, or green.
- Can I say 'paint the room' in formal writing?
- Yes. It is natural and clear in both spoken and written English.
- Is 'paint' used for art only?
- No. It is used for walls, furniture, houses, and art.