noun
turpentine
TUR-puhn-tyn
Turpentine (noun) means a strong-smelling oil distilled from pine resin, used as a solvent and paint thinner. Example: “He cleaned his paintbrushes with turpentine.”
noun
1
A strong-smelling oil distilled from pine resin, used as a solvent and paint thinner.
"He cleaned his paintbrushes with turpentine."
"The workshop reeked of turpentine and sawdust."
How to use turpentine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong solvent made from pine resin, used to thin paint and clean brushes.
Common pairings
smell of turpentine
clean with turpentine
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Word forms
- Plural
- turpentines
- Third person singular
- turpentines
- Past tense
- turpentined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He cleaned his paintbrushes with _____.
Etymology
Traces back through Old French and Latin to Ancient Greek terebinthos, the name of the terebinth tree whose resin was originally used to make it.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for turpentine
See all rhymes for turpentine →Frequently asked questions
What does “turpentine” mean?
The word “turpentine” means a strong-smelling oil distilled from pine resin, used as a solvent and paint thinner. In plain terms, a strong solvent made from pine resin, used to thin paint and clean brushes.
How do you pronounce “turpentine”?
“Turpentine” is pronounced TUR-puhn-tyn (/ˈtɝ.pənˌtaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “turpentine” in a sentence?
Here is “turpentine” used in a sentence: “He cleaned his paintbrushes with turpentine.”
What part of speech is “turpentine”?
“Turpentine” is a noun.
Where does the word “turpentine” come from?
The word “turpentine” comes from Ancient Greek. Traces back through Old French and Latin to Ancient Greek terebinthos, the name of the terebinth tree whose resin was originally used to make it.
