repaint

repaint — verb

1. to cover a surface or object with a fresh layer of paint when the previous colou

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to cover a surface or object with a fresh layer of paint when the previous colour has become worn, faded, or no longer looks the way the owner wants

Example

Luca repainted the front door of his flat last weekend.

repaint + direct object (door/wall/room)

The living room was repainted in a soft green after the fire damage was fixed.

passive: be repainted + colour phrase

Common collocations
  • repaint + wall(s) / room / house / fence / door / ceiling / kitchen / bathroom / furniture
  • repaint + white / blue / a different colour
  • needs repainting
  • freshly repainted
  • newly repainted
Synonyms
  • refinish

    more common for wood surfaces (furniture, floors); suggests a thorough process including sanding and applying a new coating

  • recoat

    specifically means adding another layer of the same or similar paint; less about changing colour and more about refreshing the existing coat

  • renew

    much broader meaning that applies to many things beyond paint; less specific to the act of painting

Grammar Patterns

repaint + object

repaint + object + colour

need + repainting (passive gerund)

be repainted + colour phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used with 'need' as in 'the fence needs repainting,' where the -ing form carries a passive meaning. Also common in the passive voice ('the kitchen was repainted'). The verb implies a complete re-coating of a surface, not just a minor touch-up.

Common Mistakes

I repainted the wall again last year.
I repainted the wall last year.
'repaint' already means 'paint again', so adding 'again' is redundant.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe giving a surface a fresh finish, but they differ in scope and specificity. 'Repaint' is the most general term for applying a new layer of paint to something that was previously painted — you repaint a wall, a fence, or a room. 'Refinish' is more specialised: it implies a multistep process such as sanding, stripping, and applying a new protective coating, and it is most often used for wooden furniture, floors, or surfaces. 'Recoat' focuses narrowly on adding an extra layer of the same (or a very similar) paint, often for durability rather than a change in appearance. 'Renew' is the broadest term and can apply to almost anything — a passport, an insurance policy, or a relationship — not just painted surfaces. If your bedroom wall looks tired, you repaint it. If your wooden table has scratches, you refinish it. If you just want an additional protective layer on your front door, you recoat it.

repaint ↗refinishrecoatrenew ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • freshly repainted
  • newly repainted
  • recently repainted
  • completely repainted

Phrases

  • needs repainting
  • getting the room repainted
  • a fresh coat of paint

Prepositions

  • repaint in [colour]
  • repaint with [paint type / brush / roller]
  • repaint by [someone]

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English by adding the prefix 're-' (meaning 'again') to the verb 'paint.' The word 'paint' came into English from Old French 'peintier,' which itself came from Latin 'pingere' — meaning to decorate or colour with paint. The verb 'repaint' has been used in English since the early 1600s.