paint

paint / pānt/ • n. 1. a colored substance that is spread over a surface and dries to leave a thin decorative or protective coating: a can of paint the paint has been applied to the surface with a palette knife. ∎  an act of covering something with paint: it looked in need of a good paint. ∎ inf. cosmetic makeup: one has false curls, another too much paint. ∎  Basketball the rectangular area marked near the basket at each end of the court; the foul lane: the two players jostled in the paint. ∎  Comput. the function or capability of producing graphics, esp. those that mimic the effect of real paint: [as adj.] a paint program. 2. a piebald horse: [as adj.] a paint mare. • v. [tr.] 1. (often be painted) cover the surface of (something) with paint, as decoration or protection: the walls hadn't been painted for years | [tr.] the ceiling was painted dark gray | [as adj.] (painted) a brightly painted trailer. ∎  apply cosmetics to (the face or skin): she couldn't have been more than fourteen but her face was thickly painted. ∎  apply (a liquid) to a surface with a brush. ∎  (paint something out) efface something with paint: the markings on the plane were hurriedly painted out. ∎  Comput. create (a graphic or screen display) using a paint program. ∎  display a mark representing (an aircraft or vehicle) on a radar screen. 2. depict (an object, person, or scene) with paint: I painted a woman sitting next to a table lamp. ∎  produce (a picture) in such a way: Marr is a self-taught artist who paints portraits | [intr.] she paints and she makes sculptures. ∎  give a description of (someone or something): I'm painted as some nut case living in the woods. PHRASES: like watching paint dry (of an activity or experience) extremely boring. paint oneself into a corner leave oneself no means of escape or room to maneuver. paint the town (red) inf. go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly.DERIVATIVES: paint·a·ble adj. paint·y adj. (paint·i·er, paint·i·est) .