paintbrush
gb/pˈeɪntbɹˌʌʃ/ us/pˈeɪntbɹˌʌʃ/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
brush for applying paint
A brush you use to put paint on something.
Usage pattern:
a paintbrush; a paintbrush for [painting something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write it as two words (“paint brush”); both are used, but “paintbrush” is very common in modern English.
Synonyms
brush (More general; can be for hair, cleaning, or other uses.)
Collocations
a small paintbrush
|a wide paintbrush
|a fine paintbrush
|an artist's paintbrush
|a foam paintbrush
|a bristle paintbrush
|a paintbrush set
|paintbrush strokes
|to dip a paintbrush in paint
|to clean a paintbrush
Themes
art
|home_improvement
|tools
|crafts
Examples
- She rinsed the paintbrush and set it on a rag to dry.
- Use a small paintbrush to paint the edges near the tape.
- He bought a new paintbrush for the touch-up work.
Learner examples
- This paintbrush is too big.
- I need a paintbrush to paint the door.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
digital brush tool
A computer tool that lets you paint on an image.
Usage pattern:
the paintbrush; the paintbrush tool; use the paintbrush to [do something]
Common mistake:
In software, “paintbrush” usually refers to a tool/icon, not a physical brush.
Synonyms
brush tool (The most common term in many editing programs.)
Antonyms
eraser tool (Removes pixels instead of adding paint/colour.)
Collocations
select the paintbrush tool
|use the paintbrush tool
|paintbrush settings
|paintbrush size
|paintbrush opacity
|soft paintbrush
|hard paintbrush
|paintbrush strokes
|switch to the paintbrush
|paintbrush icon
Themes
technology
|design
|computing
|art
Examples
- Select the paintbrush tool and choose a soft edge for smoother shading.
- I used the paintbrush to add highlights on a new layer.
- Adjust the paintbrush size with the slider before you start painting.
Learner examples
- I used the paintbrush tool to color the picture.
Noun
B2
entity
3
wildflower called paintbrush
A wildflower with bright red, orange, or yellow flowers.
Usage pattern:
(a) paintbrush; (field of) paintbrush
Common mistake:
This meaning is about a plant; it does not refer to a painting tool.
Synonyms
Indian paintbrush (A common specific name for the best-known type.)
Collocations
Indian paintbrush
|a patch of paintbrush
|wild paintbrush
|red paintbrush flowers
|paintbrush blooms
|paintbrush in the meadow
Themes
nature
|plants
|outdoors
Examples
- In early summer, the hillsides were dotted with red paintbrush.
- We saw Indian paintbrush growing along the trail.
- The meadow was full of lupines and paintbrush.
Learner examples
- I saw paintbrush flowers in the park.
Grammar
Dictionary form
paintbrush
IPA
GB/pˈeɪntbɹˌʌʃ/
US/pˈeɪntbɹˌʌʃ/
Syllables & stress
paint - brush (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (paint)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: paintbrush
- Plural: paintbrushes
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.