Meaning & use
turpentine
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Meaning
noununcountablechemistry
A strong-smelling solvent distilled from pine resin, used to thin paint, clean brushes, and remove sticky residue.
Grammar: No plural as a substance; say a bottle of turpentine or types of turpentine.
Patterns
- thin paint with turpentine
- clean brushes in turpentine
- the smell of turpentine
He opened a window because the turpentine smell was overpowering.
Soak the hardened brush in turpentine before washing it with soap.
Common combinations
- pure turpentine
- Pure turpentine evaporates faster than many modern thinners.
- turpentine fumes
- Turpentine fumes can irritate the eyes, so work in a ventilated room.
- clean brushes with turpentine
- The art teacher showed us how to clean brushes with turpentine safely.
- thin paint with turpentine
- Thin paint with turpentine only a little at a time.
Synonyms and how they differ
- thinner
- Thinner is any liquid used to reduce paint viscosity; turpentine is a traditional thinner from pine resin.
- solvent
- Solvent is broader, covering liquids that dissolve grease, glue, or paint; turpentine is one kind.
- white spirit
- White spirit is a petroleum-based substitute often used where turpentine would work.
Commonly confused: turpentine or terpentine? turpentine or terpene?
turpentine vs terpentine
Terpentine is a common misspelling; the standard spelling begins with tur-, as in turpentine.
turpentine vs terpene
Terpenes are fragrant compounds in resin and many plants; turpentine is the solvent obtained from pine resin.
Practice
Choose the standard spelling for the pine-resin solvent: "Use a little ___ to clean the varnish brush."
Choose one answer.
Turpentine is the accepted spelling. Terpentine is a frequent misspelling, and the other forms are nonstandard attempts at the word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “turpentine”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.