repaint: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, leaning towards informal. Common in practical and domestic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “repaint” mean?
To paint something again.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To paint something again; to cover with a new layer of paint.
To change the appearance or representation of something through a new application of paint; to reimagine visually.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. US English more commonly uses 'repaint' as a noun (e.g., 'The car needs a repaint'), while this noun use is less frequent in UK English.
Connotations
None specific.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “repaint” in a Sentence
[SUBJECT] + repaint + [OBJECT] (We repainted the room.)[SUBJECT] + repaint + [OBJECT] + [COLOUR] (They repainted the fence blue.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “repaint” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We must repaint the window frames before winter.
- The council is going to repaint all the pedestrian crossings.
American English
- We need to repaint the trim on the house.
- The artist decided to repaint the entire background.
adverb
British English
- [No adverbial form for 'repaint'.]
American English
- [No adverbial form for 'repaint'.]
adjective
British English
- [Not standard as an adjective. Use 'repainted' as a participle adjective: 'the repainted bench'].
American English
- [Not standard as an adjective. Use 'repainted' as a participle adjective: 'a freshly repainted boat'].
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in property maintenance, renovation services, and automotive industries.
Academic
Rare; might appear in art history or conservation contexts.
Everyday
Very common in domestic and DIY contexts.
Technical
Used in automotive refinishing, industrial coating, and conservation techniques.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “repaint”
- Incorrect: 'I will repaint again the house.' Correct: 'I will repaint the house.' (No need for 'again').
- Confusing 'repaint' (verb) with 'repaint job' (noun phrase).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Repaint' suggests a complete, proper new painting job, often after preparation. 'Paint over' can imply a quicker, less thorough job, simply covering the old paint, and can sometimes hide something.
Yes, especially in American English (e.g., 'The car got a full repaint'), but it's less common than the verb form. In UK English, phrases like 'a new paint job' are often preferred.
No. It is a standard closed compound word: 'repaint', not 're-paint'.
No. 'Repaint' refers to the action of applying new paint. Changing the colour is a very common reason for repainting, but you can also repaint using the same colour.
To paint something again.
Repaint is usually neutral, leaning towards informal. common in practical and domestic contexts. in register.
Repaint: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈpeɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈpeɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not a strong idiom carrier. Can be used in phrases like 'repaint the town red' as a variation of 'paint the town red', but this is rare.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-do the PAINT job = RE-PAINT.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS A NEW COVERING (We need to repaint our reputation).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'repaint' LEAST likely to be used?