oil painting

noun

1

a

: the act or art of painting in oil colors

b

: a picture painted in oils

2

: painting that uses pigments originally ground in oil

Synonyms of oil painting

• painting
• canvas

Examples of oil painting in a Sentence

He studied oil painting in college.

A large oil painting hangs above the mantel.

Recent Examples on the Web

The interiors manage to ooze heritage without needing oil paintings of hounds or floral pelmets. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

The walls are decorated in eye-catching oil paintings of enigmatic, forlorn individuals who compose themselves in much the same manner as the café’s real clientele. — James Marsh, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

There are also hundreds of his own charcoal drawings and oil paintings, most of which are of Dolores, his female alter ego. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Propped up against them were colorful large-scale oil paintings of orbs floating against blurry color fields. — Ryan Sullivan, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for oil painting

• acquainting
• repainting
• fainting
• tainting

Kids Definition

oil painting

noun

: a painting done with oil paints