Spanish word

lienzo

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈljenθo/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncanvas

Example

Compré un lienzo para pintar un paisaje.

I bought a canvas to paint a landscape.

Illustration for lienzo (canvas)

More examples

Ella empezó con un lienzo en blanco.

She started with a blank canvas.

Core concept

Prepared linen or cotton cloth, primed and stretched for painting.

Common phrases

  • pintar un lienzo

    paint on a canvas

  • un lienzo en blanco

    a blank canvas

  • colgar un lienzo

    hang a canvas

Similar words

cuadro: Framed painting created as an artwork and meant for display.
pintura: Artwork produced by applying paint to a surface.
tela: Woven cloth used for garments, upholstery, or general textiles.
lona: Thick, sturdy, water-resistant fabric used for tarps, sails, or covers.

Definition in Spanish

Tela de fibra de lino o algodón usada como soporte para la pintura; por extensión, la propia pintura hecha sobre esa tela.

Word origin

Derived from Latin linteum 'linen cloth', lienzo shifted from general linen to the primed, stretched material painters use.

Usage tips

  • Spanish speakers often use lienzo to mean the artwork itself, so 'colgar un lienzo' normally means 'hang a painting'.

Other meanings

  • sailclothnoun
  • clothnoun

Word lists with this word