# painting

/ˈpeɪntɪŋ/ (US) · /pˈeɪntɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/painting
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an artwork

noun · CEFR A1

a picture that someone has made using paint.

For teachers: a finished work of art created by applying pigment to a surface such as canvas, wood, or paper.

- There is a beautiful painting of a mountain hanging in the living room.
- The gallery recently acquired an oil painting from the seventeenth century, though the artist remains unidentified despite extensive research.

### 2. the activity or art form

noun · CEFR A2

the hobby or profession of making pictures with paint.

For teachers: the practice or profession of creating art using paint; also the general activity of applying paint to a surface.

- She enjoys painting in her free time because it helps her relax.
- While some students prefer sculpture, others find that painting allows for a more nuanced exploration of light and shadow.

### 3. decorating a surface

noun · CEFR B1

the work of putting paint on things like walls, doors, or furniture.

For teachers: the act of applying a coat of paint to a structure or object for protection or decoration.

- The painting of the house took three days because the weather was so wet.
- The contract specifies that the exterior painting must be completed before the winter frost sets in to ensure the wood is properly sealed.

## Examples

- She hangs a beautiful painting in her living room.
- The museum is famous for its large collection of oil paintings from the nineteenth century.
- While the artist experimented with various media, her most celebrated painting remains the abstract portrait that currently anchors the gallery's permanent exhibition.

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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.