paint
verb
peɪnt 
peɪnt 
1 [transitive, intransitive] paint something (with something) to cover a surface or object with paintpaint (something) We've had the house painted.Paint the shed with weather-resistant paint.a brightly painted bargepaint something + adjective/noun The walls were painted yellow.2 [transitive, intransitive] to make a picture or design using paintspaint something/somebody to paint portraitsA friend painted the children for me (= painted a picture of the children).paint something on something Slogans had been painted on the walls.paint (in something) She paints in oils.My mother paints well.3 [transitive] to give a particular impression of somebody/somethingSynonym
portraypaint somebody/something as something The article paints them as a bunch of petty criminals.paint somebody/something in… The documentary painted her in a bad light.4 [transitive] paint something to put coloured make-up on your nails, lips, etc.Idioms
paint a (grim, gloomy, rosy, etc.) picture of somebody/something
to describe somebody/something in a particular way; to give a particular impression of somebody/something
The report paints a vivid picture of life in the city.Journalists paint a grim picture of conditions in the camps.paint the town red
(informal) to go to a lot of different bars, clubs, etc. and enjoy yourselfpaint something with a broad brush
to describe something in a general way, ignoring the details
Phrasal verbs
paint something 
out
to cover part of a picture, sign, etc. with another layer of paintThe premises have been sold and the company name painted out.paint over something
to cover something with a layer of paintWe painted over the dirty marks on the wall.
Usage note: Fine artsCreating artmake a work of art/a drawing/a sketch/a sculpture/a statue/engravings/etchings/printsdo an oil painting/a self-portrait/a line drawing/a rough sketchcreate a work of art/an artwork/paintings and sculpturesproduce paintings/portraits/oil sketches/his most celebrated work/a series of printspaint a picture/landscape/portrait/mural/in oils/in watercolours/(especially US) in watercolors/on canvasdraw a picture/a portrait/a cartoon/a sketch/a line/a figure/the human form/in charcoal/in inksketch a preliminary drawing/a figure/a shapecarve a figure/an image/a sculpture/an altarpiece/reliefs/a block of woodsculpt a portrait bust/a statue/an abstract figureetch a line/a pattern/a design/a name into the glassmix colours/(especially US) colors/pigments/paintsadd/apply thin/thick layers of paint/colour/(especially US) color/pigmentuse oil pastels/charcoal/acrylic paint/a can of spray paintwork in bronze/ceramics/stone/oils/pastels/watercolour/a wide variety of mediaDescribing artpaint/depict a female figure/a biblical scene/a pastoral landscape/a domestic interiordepict/illustrate a traditional/mythological/historical/religious themecreate an abstract composition/a richly textured surface/a distorted perspectivepaint dark/rich/skin/flesh tonesuse broad brush strokes/loose brushwork/vibrant colours/a limited palette/simple geometric formsdevelop/adopt/paint in a stylized manner/an abstract styleShowing and selling artcommission an altarpiece/a bronze bust of somebody/a portrait/a religious work/an artist to paint somethingframe a painting/portraithang art/a picture/a paintingdisplay/exhibit modern art/somebody's work/a collection/original artwork/ drawings/sculptures/a piecebe displayed/hung in a gallery/museuminstall/place a sculpture in/at/on somethingerect/unveil a bronze/marble/life-size statuehold/host/mount/open/curate/see (especially British English) an exhibition/(North American English usually) exhibitbe/go on (British English) exhibition/(North American English) exhibitfeature/promote/showcase a conceptual artist/contemporary workscollect African art/modern British paintings/Japanese printsrestore/preserve a fresco/great works of artUsage note: Decorating and home improvementHousesrefurbish/renovate/(British English) do up a building/a houseconvert a building/house/room into homes/offices/(especially North American English) apartments/(British English) flatsextend/enlarge a house/building/room/kitchenbuild (British English) an extension (to the back/rear of a house)/(North American English) an addition (on/to something)/(British English) a conservatoryknock down/demolish a house/home/building/wallknock out/through the wall separating two roomsDecorationfurnish/paint/(especially British English) decorate a home/house/apartment/flat/roombe decorated in bright colours/(especially US) colors/in a traditional style/with flowers/with paintingspaint/plaster the walls/ceilinghang/put up/strip off/remove the wallpaperinstall/replace/remove the bathroom fixtures/(British English) fittingsbuild/put up shelveslay wooden flooring/timber decking/floor tiles/a carpet/a patioput up/hang/take down a picture/painting/poster/curtainDIY/home improvementdo (British English) DIY/carpentry/the plumbing/the wiringmake home improvementsadd/install central heating/underfloor heating/insulationfit/install double-glazing/a smoke alarminsulate your house/your home/the walls/the pipes/the tanks/(especially British English) the loftfix/repair a roof/a leak/a pipe/the plumbing/a leaking (especially British English) tap/(North American English usually) faucetblock/clog (up)/unblock/unclog a pipe/sinkmake/drill/fill a holehammer (in)/pull out/remove a nailtighten/untighten/loosen/remove a screwsaw/cut/treat/stain/varnish/paint wood