CultureAugust 26, 2026

painterly

PAIN-ter-lee

Definition

Exhibiting the qualities associated with painting, such as visible brushwork, textured application of color, or an emphasis on light and form rather than precise outlines.

Etymology

The word is formed from the noun 'painter' combined with the Old English suffix '-lic', meaning 'like' or 'having the nature of'. It emerged in the 19th century to describe art that highlights the act of painting itself.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the visual style of the new AI-generated illustrations, noting their resemblance to traditional paintings through visible brushwork and muted earth tones.

This rebrand of a voice-journalling app looks lovely, but is an 'AI illustration system' the right call?

Read the full article ↗

Creative Boom

Related words

brushwork

The specific style and technique used to apply paint to a surface, visible as distinct…

Culture

cinematographic

Relating to the art, science, or technology of motion picture photography.

Culture

flamboyant

Characterized by a bold, colorful, and energetic style that is intended to attract…

Culture

furrows

Narrow, straight grooves or trenches made in the ground by a plow to prepare soil for…

Culture

logomark

A specific type of logo that consists only of a symbol or icon, without any accompanying…

Culture

madcap

Amusingly eccentric, impulsive, or recklessly adventurous.

Culture

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.