What does repaint mean?
Repaint means to apply a new coat of paint to something that has already been painted. It is commonly used for restoring a faded or damaged surface, changing an object's colour, or improving the appearance of a room, building, vehicle, or piece of furniture. For example, a homeowner may repaint a peeling wall, while a conservator may carefully repaint an old cabinet. The word often implies renewal rather than the first application of paint, although it can cover both purposes in general speech. Repaint is transitive when naming what is being treated: “They repainted the windows.” It may also be used intransitively, especially in British English: “The school will repaint during the holidays.” The prefix re- clearly distinguishes this renewed painting from painting something for the first time. Repaint is consequently associated with maintenance, renovation, transformation, and giving something a refreshed appearance.
verbTo apply a new or additional coat of paint to something, especially in order to restore its appearance or change its colour.
- To apply paint to a surface or object again, especially to renew a damaged, faded, or outdated coating.
- To give a building, room, or object a new appearance by applying another layer of paint.
"We repainted the weathered windows before the house went on the market."
"The landlord had the entire staircase repainted before the tenants moved in."
"Rather than replacing the cabinet, she repainted it in a dark green."
Sometimes the quickest way to make something look new is not to replace it, but to paint over its story.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repaint come from?
Repaint was formed in English by combining the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with paint. The verb paint comes from Old French paint and ultimately from Latin pingere, “to paint,” related to pictus, “painted.” The same Latin root also underlies painter, painting, and painted. Repaint therefore follows the ordinary English pattern of forming a new verb by placing a prefix before an existing one.
How repaint is actually used
The word is transitive: something is repainted. In British English it can also be used intransitively, as in “We repainted over the weekend,” while American usage more often names the object or uses the passive. Repaint normally means applying another coat rather than removing the old paint.
Easily confused with repaint
Painting can refer to the initial application of paint as well as subsequent coats, whereas repainting specifically means painting something again.