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Glite Dictionary
water-base paint

water-base paint

1 3.3
A type of paint that uses water instead of oil
  • noun
translation icon : pintura a base de agua
  • This water-based paint dries quickly, making it ideal for projects that need to be completed in a short time.
  • use water-base paint
  • only water-base paints

Examples

  • Are you using water-based paint?

    Used Cars (1980)

  • These are just water based paint, so they're non-toxic and they're very safe for kids.

  • The child's room was decorated with bright colors using water-based paint that is safe for indoor use.

  • Many artists prefer water-based paint because it is easier to clean up and has less odor than oil paints.

Synonyms

latex paint
vswater-base paint
  • Specialized
1 3.2

A water-based paint that uses latex to make color stay on walls and furniture

is a broader term for water paints than kinds that use that binder
rubber-base paint
vswater-base paint
  • Specialized
4.2

A water-based paint that stays flexible, lasts a long time and resists moisture

focuses on water as the solvent, not on flexibility or extra durability

Surface Forms

water-base paint singular
water-base paints plural
water based paints plural
water based paint singular

Morphology

water-base + paint

The meaning 'paint in which water is used as the main solvent' is directly derivable from the constituents (water + base + paint) and corresponds to the common English pattern X-based Y (often seen as 'water-based paint'). This compositional, non-idiomatic structure is cross-linguistically common and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the component words.

Etymology

Water-base paint is paint that uses water as its base, not oil. Imagine mixing colour with water like a watercolor; because the main liquid is water, the paint dries faster and has less smell, so the name means 'paint with water as the main liquid'.