What does "painted" mean?

1. (covered in paint) covered with a layer of paint. 2. (shown in a picture) shown or created in a painting. 3. (colourful like a painting) having bright or beautiful colours, as if someone painted them. 4. (wearing makeup) wearing a lot of makeup on the face.

painted

adj.

US //ˈpeɪntɪd// UK //pˈeɪntɪd// paint·ed

1 covered in paint (adj.)
A2 Elementary

covered with a layer of paint.

having a layer of paint applied to a surface for protection or decoration.

Example

Be careful not to touch the freshly painted door.

Example

The house featured beautifully painted shutters that contrasted sharply with the white stone of the exterior walls.
- coated
- finished
- varnished
- unpainted
- bare
2 shown in a picture (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

shown or created in a painting.

depicted or represented through the medium of paint.

Example

The painted figures in the old portrait looked very realistic.

Example

The gallery displayed several painted landscapes that captured the unique light of the Mediterranean coast.
3 colourful like a painting (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

having bright or beautiful colours, as if someone painted them.

possessing vivid or varied colours that suggest the application of paint; often used to describe animals or plants.

Example

The painted wings of the butterfly were visible as it sat on the flower.

Example

The painted desert landscape glowed with deep reds and purples as the sun began to set over the horizon.
- plain
- dull
4 wearing makeup (adj.)
C1 Advanced Literary Archaic

wearing a lot of makeup on the face.

having the face decorated with makeup, often implying a heavy or artificial application.

Example

The actors appeared on stage with heavily painted faces.

Example

In the candlelight, her painted face looked like a mask, hiding any hint of her true emotions.
- made up
- natural

Idioms1 entry

01
not as black as one is painted
not as bad as one is said to be

Last updated June 19, 2026