# mural

/ˈmjʊɹəɫ/ (US) · /mjˈʊɹəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mural
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. wall painting

noun · CEFR B2

a large picture painted directly onto a wall or ceiling.

For teachers: a large-scale artwork executed directly on a wall, ceiling, or other permanent surface.

- The city hired an artist to paint a colourful mural on the side of the library.
- The community mural depicted the neighbourhood's history, spanning three decades of social change across the entire brick facade of the community centre.

### 2. relating to a wall

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing something that is on, in, or against a wall.

For teachers: pertaining to, attached to, or situated on a wall; often used in technical or anatomical contexts.

- The museum displayed a mural crown that was once worn by ancient leaders.
- The surgeon noted a mural thrombus, which is a blood cloth attached to the wall of a blood vessel or the heart.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

### 3. to paint a wall

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal

to paint a large picture on a wall.

For teachers: to decorate a surface with a mural; to apply large-scale artwork to a wall.

- They decided to mural the entire hallway with scenes from the forest.
- The collective spent the weekend muralling the abandoned warehouse, transforming the grey concrete into a vibrant gallery of street art.

## Examples

- The artist is painting a colorful mural on the school wall.
- The city commissioned a local artist to paint a mural depicting the neighborhood's history on the side of the library.
- While graffiti is often viewed as a nuisance, a well-executed mural can revitalize a neglected urban corridor and foster a sense of communal pride among residents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.