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Meaning & use

brushstroke

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈbrʌʃstrəʊk/
US/ˈbrʌʃstroʊk/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A single movement or mark made by a brush, especially in painting.

    Grammar: Countable; use 'a brushstroke' or 'brushstrokes'. Often used in the plural when describing a painting style.

    Patterns

    • a brushstroke of
    • with bold brushstrokes
    • paint something in broad brushstrokes

    The artist added a final brushstroke of bright red to the corner.

    Her style is recognizable by its long, sweeping brushstrokes.

    He painted the sky with quick brushstrokes to suggest clouds.

  2. nouncountablefigurative

    A distinctive way of doing something, especially in art or writing, compared to a painter's stroke.

    Grammar: Countable and often figurative; common in the phrase 'broad brushstrokes' meaning a general, not detailed, way.

    Patterns

    • in broad brushstrokes
    • a brushstroke of genius

    The report described the plan in broad brushstrokes, leaving the details for later.

    Her novel is full of small brushstrokes that bring the characters to life.

Word forms

pluralbrushstrokes

Common combinations

bold brushstrokes
The painting is famous for its bold brushstrokes and strong colors.
delicate brushstrokes
She used delicate brushstrokes to paint the flower petals.
broad brushstrokes
He outlined the project in broad brushstrokes without going into detail.
a brushstroke of genius
Adding the mirror was a brushstroke of genius that made the room look twice as big.

Synonyms and how they differ

stroke
A stroke is a more general word for a single movement of a brush, pen, or hand; brushstroke is used mainly in art and often suggests style.
mark
A mark is any visible spot or line; brushstroke emphasizes the movement of the brush that created it.

Word family

brush noun
A tool with bristles used for painting, cleaning, or tidying.
brushwork noun
The way an artist uses a brush; the style of brushstrokes in a painting.
brushmark noun
A mark left by a brush, often seen as a fault in decorating.

Commonly confused: brushstroke or brushmark?

brushstroke vs brushmark

A brushmark is usually an unwanted mark left on a surface; a brushstroke is a deliberate movement of a brush, especially in art.

Practice

The artist painted the landscape with quick, ______.

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