painting
B1Neutral to formal in art contexts; informal in everyday use.
Definition
Meaning
A picture created by applying coloured pigment to a surface such as canvas, paper, or wood.
The act or skill of creating such a picture; the general process or art of using paint for artistic or practical purposes.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can refer to the physical object (a painting), the activity (the act of painting), or the broader field/technique (the art of painting). Countable when referring to an object; uncountable when referring to the activity or art form.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling and pronunciation vary.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The painting of [OBJECT] (e.g., The painting of the shed took all day)A painting by [ARTIST]A painting of [SUBJECT]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not the full picture (derived from 'painting')”
- “Paint a bleak/rosy picture”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to asset valuation, auction items, or interior design services.
Academic
Used in art history, criticism, and theory to discuss movements, techniques, and artists.
Everyday
Discussing home decor, hobbies, or visiting galleries.
Technical
In conservation, referring to materials, varnish, or restoration techniques.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He spent the weekend painting the garden shed.
- She is painting a portrait for her final project.
American English
- He's painting the house this summer.
- She painted a mural on the downtown wall.
adjective
British English
- They took a painting holiday in Tuscany.
- The painting competition drew many entries.
American English
- She enrolled in a painting class at the community center.
- They bought new painting supplies.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like this painting of a cat.
- We saw many paintings in the museum.
- Her painting of the mountains won first prize.
- He is very good at painting with watercolours.
- The painting, which dates from the 17th century, is remarkably well-preserved.
- Critics praised the artist's innovative approach to abstract painting.
- The painting's provenance was carefully documented before the auction.
- Her work transcends traditional painting, incorporating mixed media and digital elements.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PAIN' + 'TING' – Creating a great painting can involve both pain (effort) and a 'ting' (a small sound of the brush).
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A PAINTING (e.g., 'He painted a bright future for himself').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'живопись' for the physical object; use 'картина'. 'Живопись' is the art form/activity.
- Do not confuse with 'рисование' (drawing/sketching). Painting implies paint.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'painting' as a verb in this noun form (e.g., 'I am doing a painting' is correct; 'I am painting' is the verb).
- Using uncountable form for a countable object (e.g., 'She bought a painting' not 'She bought painting').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common collocation with 'painting'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A painting is created using pigments in a liquid medium (like oil, acrylic, or watercolour) applied with a brush. A drawing typically uses dry media like pencil, charcoal, or pen on paper.
Yes. 'Painting' is a gerund (the activity) and a countable noun (the finished object). Context clarifies the meaning (e.g., 'Painting is relaxing' vs. 'That painting is valuable').
The core meaning and usage are identical. The only minor differences might be in specific compound terms or regional preferences for certain synonyms, but these are negligible.
Common types are defined by medium (oil, acrylic, watercolour, fresco) or by subject/genre (portrait, landscape, still life, abstract, historical).
Explore