paint
B1 (CEFR)Neutral/Standard. Suitable for all contexts from technical to informal.
Definition
Meaning
To apply a coloured liquid or paste to a surface, creating a protective or decorative coating.
To depict or represent something using paint, as in art; to create a vivid mental picture or description; to apply makeup (verb). The material/substance used for this purpose (noun).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Noun form is non-countable for the material substance (e.g., 'a can of paint') but can be countable in an artistic sense (e.g., 'a set of paints'). The verb can refer to both the literal action and metaphorical depiction (e.g., 'paint a grim picture').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in core meaning. Minor variations in related terminology (e.g., UK 'emulsion paint' vs US 'latex paint').
Connotations
None specific to either variety.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SBJ] paint [OBJ] (He painted the wall.)[SBJ] paint [OBJ] [ADJ] (She painted the room blue.)[SBJ] paint [OBJ] for [IND OBJ] (He painted a picture for her.)[SBJ] paint [OBJ] as [NOUN/ADJ] (The article painted him as a hero.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “paint the town red”
- “paint oneself into a corner”
- “like watching paint dry”
- “paint a grim/rosy picture”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in marketing ('paint a compelling vision'), property ('needs a fresh coat of paint'), and manufacturing (paint industry).
Academic
Used in art history, material science (properties of paint), and metaphorically in literature ('paint a character').
Everyday
Most common: home improvement ('I need to paint the kitchen'), art activities, describing appearances ('paint your nails').
Technical
Specifics in chemistry (pigments, binders, solvents), industrial coatings, automotive finishes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- There's a tin of white paint in the shed.
- The artist's paints were arranged neatly on the palette.
American English
- There's a can of white paint in the garage.
- The smell of wet paint was strong in the hallway.
verb
British English
- We'll need to paint the skirting boards before the carpet fitters come.
- The report paints a rather bleak picture of the economy.
American English
- We need to paint the trim before the carpet installers arrive.
- She paints her nails a different color every week.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- We're in the paint department at B&Q.
American English
- He works in the paint aisle at Home Depot.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The wall is white. I want to paint it blue.
- Children love to paint pictures.
- Be careful, the paint is wet!
- We spent the weekend painting the living room.
- She painted a beautiful landscape of the mountains.
- You'll need two coats of paint for good coverage.
- The documentary painted a very one-sided view of the conflict.
- He's painted himself into a corner with these impossible promises.
- The old paint was flaking off due to damp.
- The poet's words painted a vivid tableau of autumnal decay.
- Forensic analysts can determine the age of paint samples from a crime scene.
- The politician's speech was an attempt to paint over the failures of the previous administration.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PAINter holding a T (the brush). PAIN + T = the substance and action a painter uses.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPRESENTATION IS PAINTING (e.g., 'paint a picture of the situation'); DECEPTION IS PAINTING OVER (e.g., 'trying to paint over the cracks').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing the verb 'paint' with 'draw' (рисовать). 'Paint' specifically involves using paint/краска. 'To draw' uses pencil/pen (рисовать карандашом).
- The noun 'paint' is usually uncountable (краска), not a countable item like a painting (картина).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I will paint you' (ambiguous - portrait or cover you in paint?). Correct: 'I will paint a picture of you.'
- Incorrect: 'The wall needs a paint.' (UK informal OK, but standard is 'needs painting' or 'needs some paint').
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'paint the town red', what does 'paint' metaphorically mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes, but it can also refer to solid forms like 'paint sticks' or 'paint powder' before mixing. The result is always a liquid or paste applied to a surface.
'Paint' involves applying a pigmented liquid/paste with a brush, roller, etc. 'Draw' typically involves making marks with a dry instrument like a pencil, pen, or charcoal on a surface.
Yes, intransitively. E.g., 'She paints for a living' or 'He's still painting' (meaning the activity is ongoing).
Literally, to apply a new layer of paint on top of an existing one. Metaphorically, it means to try to hide a problem or mistake without truly fixing it.