noun
easel
EE-zl
Easel (noun) means a stand, usually with three legs, used to hold up a canvas or board for painting or display. Example: “The artist set up her easel by the window to catch the light.”
noun
1
A stand, usually with three legs, used to hold up a canvas or board for painting or display.
"The artist set up her easel by the window to catch the light."
"A wedding photo sat on an easel near the entrance."
How to use easel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe stand artists use to hold a canvas upright while they paint.
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Word forms
- Plural
- easels
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The artist set up her _____ by the window to catch the light.
Etymology
From Dutch ezel, meaning "donkey" — the stand was jokingly compared to a beast of burden holding up a load, much like "sawhorse" or "clotheshorse."
Rhymes for easel
See all rhymes for easel →Frequently asked questions
What does “easel” mean?
The word “easel” means a stand, usually with three legs, used to hold up a canvas or board for painting or display. In plain terms, the stand artists use to hold a canvas upright while they paint.
How do you pronounce “easel”?
“Easel” is pronounced EE-zl (/ˈi.zəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “easel” in a sentence?
Here is “easel” used in a sentence: “The artist set up her easel by the window to catch the light.”
What part of speech is “easel”?
“Easel” is a noun.
Where does the word “easel” come from?
The word “easel” comes from Dutch. From Dutch ezel, meaning "donkey" — the stand was jokingly compared to a beast of burden holding up a load, much like "sawhorse" or "clotheshorse.".
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