paintable

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

paint /peɪnt/   n. 

1. a liquid substance made of solid coloring matter and applied to a surface for protection or decoration:
   [uncountable] two gallons of paint.
   [countable] He used both latex and oil-based paints in his apartment.
2. this substance when it has dried on a surface:
   [uncountable] peeling, flaking paint.

v. 

3. to coat, cover, or decorate with paint: [~ + object]
   She paints houses for a living.
   [no object]
   They painted all day.
4. to produce (a picture, etc.) in paint: [~ + object]
   The artist painted a beautiful landscape.
   [no object]
   The child likes to paint.
5. to represent in paint:
   [~ + object] to paint a sunset.
6. to describe vividly in words:
   [~ + object + as + object] The ads painted the resort as a paradise.
7. Medicine to coat or brush, as with a liquid medicine or a cosmetic:
   [~ + object] painted her fingernails bright purple.

Idioms

8. Idioms paint the town (red), to go out and celebrate, esp. without restraint:
   She promised him that on the night she finished the book they would paint the town red.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

paint  (pānt), n. 

1. a substance composed of solid coloring matter suspended in a liquid medium and applied as a protective or decorative coating to various surfaces, or to canvas or other materials in producing a work of art.
2. an application of this.
3. the dried surface pigment:
   Don't scuff the paint.
4. the solid coloring matter alone;
   pigment.
5. facial cosmetics, esp. lipstick, rouge, etc., designed to heighten natural color.
6. [Chiefly Western U.S.] a pied, calico, or spotted horse or pony;
   pinto.

v.t. 

7. to coat, cover, or decorate (something) with paint:
   to paint a fence.
8. to produce (a picture, design, etc.) in paint:
   to paint a portrait.
9. to represent in paint, as in oils, tempera, or watercolor:
   to paint an actress as the Muse of tragedy.
10. to depict as if by painting;
    describe vividly in words:
    The ads painted the resort as a winter wonderland.
11. to color by or as if by painting:
    Sunset painted the clouds pink.
12. to apply a substance to, as a liquid medicine or a cosmetic:
    to paint a cut with iodine.

v.i. 

13. to coat or cover anything with paint.
14. to engage in painting as an art:
    She has begun to paint in her spare time.
15. to put on or use facial cosmetics.
16. Idioms paint the town red, [Informal.] to celebrate boisterously, esp. by making a round of stops at bars and nightclubs. Also, paint the town. 

• Latin pingere to paint; see picture
• Old French peint, past participle of peindre
• Middle English peinten (verb, verbal) 1200–50

paint′a•ble, adj. 
paint′less, adj.