any type of pattern produced using ink on a piece of clothing
a floral/paisley print
Oxford Essential Dictionary
noun
1 (no plural) letters that a machine makes on paper:
The print is too small to read without my glasses.
2 (plural prints) a mark where something has pressed on something:
footprints in the snow
The police are looking for prints (= fingerprints).
3 (plural prints) a copy on paper of a painting or photograph
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
II. print2 W3 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑print, ↑printer, ↑printing; adjective: printed, ↑printable ≠ ↑unprintable; verb: ↑print]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: preinte, from preint, past participle of preindre 'to press', from Latin premere]
1. BOOKS/NEWSPAPERS [uncountable] writing that has been printed, for example in books or newspapers:
There was no print at all on the backs of the tickets.
in print (=printed in a book, newspaper etc)
It must be really exciting to see your work in print.
the pleasure of seeing my name in print
Very little of his poetry actually got into print (=was printed).
2. be in print if a book is in print, new copies of it are still being printed:
After fifty years, the book is still in print.
3. be out of print if a book is out of print, it is no longer being printed and you cannot buy new copies
4. LETTERS [uncountable] the letters in which something is printed:
The book is also available in large print.
The print quality of the new printer is excellent.
5. the small/fine print the details of a legal document, which are often printed in very small writing:
Always read the small print before signing anything.
6. MARK [countable] a mark that is made on a surface by something that has been pressed onto it:
His feet left deep prints in the soft soil.
7. prints [plural] the marks that are made by the pattern of lines on the ends of your fingers SYN fingerprints:
The police found a set of prints on the car door.
8. CLOTH [uncountable and countable] cloth, especially cotton, on which a coloured pattern has been printed:
a lovely selection of floral prints
She was wearing a cotton print dress.
9. PHOTOGRAPH [countable] a photograph that has been produced from a film:
Why don’t you order an extra set of prints?
a colour print
10. PICTURE [countable]
a) a picture that is made by cutting lines onto a piece of metal or wood and then printing it onto paper
b) a copy of a painting that is produced by taking a photograph of it and printing it onto paper
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
noun
LETTERS/NUMBERS
1. uncountable letters, words, numbers, etc. that have been printed onto paper
• in large/small/bold print
• The print quality of the new laser printer is superb.
see also small print
NEWSPAPERS/BOOKS
2. uncountable used to refer to the business of producing newspapers, magazines and books
• the print media
• print unions
MARK
3. countable, usually plural a mark left by your finger, foot, etc. on the surface of sth
• His prints were found on the gun.
see also fingerprint, footprint
PICTURE
4. countable a picture that is cut into wood or metal then covered with ink and printed onto paper; a picture that is copied from a painting using photography
• a framed set of prints
PHOTOGRAPH
5. countable a photograph produced from film
• How many sets of prints would you like?
• a colour print
CLOTH
6. uncountable, countable cotton cloth that has a pattern printed on it; this pattern
• a cotton print dress
• a floral print
see also blueprint
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting the impression made by a stamp or seal): from Old French preinte ‘pressed’, feminine past participle of preindre, from Latin premere ‘to press’.
Collocations:
Fine arts
Creating art
make a work of art/a drawing/a sketch/a sculpture/a statue/engravings/etchings/prints
do an oil painting/a self-portrait/a line drawing/a rough sketch
create a work of art/an artwork/paintings and sculptures
produce paintings/portraits/oil sketches/his most celebrated work/a series of prints
paint a picture/landscape/portrait/mural/in oils/in watercolours/(especially US) in watercolors/on canvas
draw a picture/a portrait/a cartoon/a sketch/a line/a figure/the human form/in charcoal/in ink
sketch a preliminary drawing/a figure/a shape
carve a figure/an image/a sculpture/an altarpiece/reliefs/a block of wood
sculpt a portrait bust/a statue/an abstract figure
etch a line/a pattern/a design/a name into the glass
mix colours/(especially US) colors/pigments/paints
add/apply thin/thick layers of paint/colour/(especially US) color/pigment
use oil pastels/charcoal/acrylic paint/a can of spray paint
work in bronze/ceramics/stone/oils/pastels/watercolour/a wide variety of media
Describing art
paint/depict a female figure/a biblical scene/a pastoral landscape/a domestic interior
depict/illustrate a traditional/mythological/historical/religious theme
create an abstract composition/a richly textured surface/a distorted perspective
paint dark/rich/skin/flesh tones
use broad brush strokes/loose brushwork/vibrant colours/a limited palette/simple geometric forms
develop/adopt/paint in a stylized manner/an abstract style
Showing and selling art
commission an altarpiece/a bronze bust of sb/a portrait/a religious work/an artist to paint sth
frame a painting/portrait
hang art/a picture/a painting
display/exhibit modern art/sb's work/a collection/original artwork/ drawings/sculptures/a piece
be displayed/hung in a gallery/museum
install/place a sculpture in/at/on sth
erect/unveil a bronze/marble/life-size statue
hold/host/mount/open/curate/see (especially BrE) an exhibition/(NAmE usually) exhibit
be/go on (BrE) exhibition/(NAmE) exhibit
feature/promote/showcase a conceptual artist/contemporary works
collect African art/modern British paintings/Japanese prints
restore/preserve a fresco/great works of art
Synonyms:
photograph
picture • photo • shot • snapshot/snap • print
These are all words for a picture that has been made using a camera.
photograph • a picture that has been made using a camera: ▪ a photograph of the house ◊ ▪ Can I take a photograph?
picture • a photograph: ▪ We had our picture taken in front of the hotel.
photo • a photograph: ▪ a passport photo
photograph, picture or photo?
Photograph is slightly more formal and photo is slightly less formal. Picture is used especially in the context of photographs in newspapers, magazines and books.
shot • a photograph: ▪ I tried to get a shot of him in the water.
Shot often places more emphasis on the process of taking the photograph, rather than the finished picture.
snapshot/snap • an informal photograph that is taken quickly, and not by a professional photographer: ▪ holiday snaps
print • a copy of a photograph that is produced from film or from a digital camera: ▪ a set of prints
a colour photograph/picture/photo/snap/print
to take a photograph/picture/photo/shot/snapshot
Synonyms:
picture
painting • drawing • portrait • print • sketch
These are all words for a scene, person or thing that has been represented on paper by drawing, painting, etc.
picture • a scene, person or thing that has been represented on paper using a pencil, a pen or paint: ▪ The children were drawing pictures of their pets.
painting • a picture that has been made using paint: ▪ a collection of paintings by American artists
drawing • a picture that has been made using a pencil or pen, not paint: ▪ a pencil/charcoal drawing
portrait • a painting, drawing or photograph of a person, especially of the head and shoulders: ▪ Vermeer's ‘Portrait of the artist in his studio’ ◊ ▪ a self-portrait ▪ (= a painting that you do of yourself)
print • a picture that has been copied from a painting using photography: ▪ a Renoir print
sketch • a simple picture that is drawn quickly and does not have many details: ▪ I usually do a few very rough sketches before I start on a painting.
to draw a picture/portrait/sketch
to paint a picture/portrait
to make a painting/drawing/portrait/print/sketch
to do a painting/drawing/portrait/sketch
Example Bank:
• Always read the small print in a contract before signing.
• I had to squint to read the tiny print on the screen.
• I'm afraid that book is now out of print.
• The initial print run for her book was 6 000 copies.
• The shop specializes in out-of-print books.
• They make more money from online subscriptions than from selling the print version.
• a Renoir print
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
print / prɪnt / noun [ C ] (PATTERN)
any type of pattern produced using ink on a piece of clothing:
a floral/paisley print
print / prɪnt / noun (TEXT)
C2 [ U ] letters, numbers, or symbols that have been produced on paper by a machine using ink:
The title is in bold print.
This novel is available in large print for readers with poor eyesight.
The book was rushed into print (= was produced and published) as quickly as possible.
The print quality (= the quality of the text produced) of the new laser printer is excellent.
[ U ] newspapers, books, and magazines:
The debate is still raging, both in print and online.
in/out of print C2 If a book is in print, it is possible to buy a new copy of it, and if it is out of print, it is not now possible:
Is her work still in print?
Classic literature never goes out of print.
print / prɪnt / noun [ C ] (PICTURE)
C1 a photographic copy of a painting, or a picture made by pressing paper onto a special surface covered in ink, or a single photograph from a film:
a print of Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers'
a signed Hockney print
I'd like a second set of prints of this film, please.
print / prɪnt / noun [ C ] (FINGERPRINT)
informal for fingerprint noun :
The burglar had left his prints all over the window.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
[prɪ̱nt]
♦♦
prints, printing, printed
1) VERB If someone prints something such as a book or newspaper, they produce it in large quantities using a machine.
[V n] He started to print his own posters to distribute abroad...
[V n] The Slovene bank has printed a specimen bank note...
[be V-ed prep/adv] Our brochure is printed on environmentally-friendly paper...
[V-ed] We found that television and radio gave rise to far fewer complaints than did the printed media.
Derived words:
printing N-UNCOUNT oft N n His brother ran a printing and publishing company. ...stocks of paper and printing ink.
PHRASAL VERB
In American English, print up means the same as print. V P n (not pron) Community workers here are printing up pamphlets for peace demonstrations... have/get n V-ed P Hey, I know what, I'll get a bumper sticker printed up.
2) VERB If a newspaper or magazine prints a piece of writing, it includes it or publishes it.
[V n] We can only print letters which are accompanied by the writer's name and address.
[V-ed] ...a questionnaire printed in the magazine recently. [Also be V-ed in n]
Syn:
published
3) VERB If numbers, letters, or designs are printed on a surface, they are put on it in ink or dye using a machine. You can also say that a surface is printed with numbers, letters, or designs.
[V-ed] ...the number printed on the receipt...
[V n on n] The company has for some time printed its phone number on its products...
[be V-ed with n] The shirts were printed with a paisley pattern...
[be V-ed prep/adv] `Ecu' was printed in lower case rather than capital letters. [Also V n, V prep/adv]
4) N-COUNT A print is a piece of clothing or material with a pattern printed on it. You can also refer to the pattern itself as a print.
Her mother wore one of her dark summer prints...
In this living room we've mixed glorious floral prints.
...multi-coloured print jackets.
5) VERB When you print a photograph, you produce it from a negative.
[V n onto/from n] Printing a black-and-white negative on to colour paper produces a similar monochrome effect...
[V n onto/from n] I selected two negatives to print from. [Also V n]
6) N-COUNT A print is a photograph from a film that has been developed.
...black and white prints of Margaret and Jean as children.
...35mm colour print films.
Syn:
photo
7) N-COUNT A print of a cinema film is a particular copy or set of copies of it.
First released in 1957, the movie now appears in a new print.
8) N-COUNT A print is one of a number of copies of a particular picture. It can be either a photograph, something such as a painting, or a picture made by an artist who puts ink on a prepared surface and presses it against paper.
...12 original copper plates engraved by William Hogarth for his famous series of prints.
9) N-UNCOUNT Print is used to refer to letters and numbers as they appear on the pages of a book, newspaper, or printed document.
...columns of tiny print...
Laser printers are popular because of their high quality print and silent working.
10) ADJ: ADJ n The print media consists of newspapers and magazines, but not television or radio.
I have been convinced that the print media are more accurate and more reliable than television.
...print journalists.
Ant:
broadcasting
11) VERB If you print words, you write in letters that are not joined together and that look like the letters in a book or newspaper.
[V n] Print your name and address on a postcard and send it to us.
Syn:
write
12) N-COUNT You can refer to a mark left by someone's foot as a print.
He crawled from print to print, sniffing at the earth, following the scent left in the tracks.
...boot prints.
Syn:
footprint
13) N-COUNT: usu pl You can refer to invisible marks left by someone's fingers as their prints.
Fresh prints of both girls were found in the flat.
Syn:
fingerprint
14) → See also printing
15) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If you appear in print, or get into print, what you say or write is published in a book, newspaper, or magazine.
Many of these poets appeared in print only long after their deaths...
There was no immediate prospect of the diaries getting into print.
16) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If a book is in print, copies of it are still being produced.
Many of their books have been in print for nearly 40 years.
Ant:
out of print
17) PHRASE: v-link PHR If a book is out of print, copies of it are no longer being produced.
I believe the book is now out of print, but it can easily be borrowed from libraries.
Ant:
in print
18) PHRASE The small print or the fine print of something such as an advertisement or a contract consists of the technical details and legal conditions, which are often printed in much smaller letters than the rest of the text.
I'm looking at the small print; I don't want to sign anything that I shouldn't sign...
The US embassy says the fine print needs to be worked out on the trade agreement between the United States and the European Community.
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
2print noun, pl prints
1 [noncount] : the process of making a book, magazine, newspaper, etc.
• The editor's job is to prepare the manuscript for print. [=for publication]
• He was glad to get one of his poems into print. [=into a published magazine, book, etc.]
• Her first novel is still in print. [=her first novel is still being printed for sale]
• His biography has been out of print for years. [=his biography is no longer being printed]
• When is the book scheduled to go to print? [=when is the book supposed to be sent to the printer?]
2 [noncount] : the letters, numbers, or symbols used in printing something : type
• books with large print = large-print books [=books with large letters for people who have difficulty seeing]
• What is the print size of your book?
- see also fine print, small print
3 [count]
a : a photograph that is printed on paper
• black-and-white prints
• She bought a print [=a photographic copy] of the painting for her room.
b : a picture made from pressing an inked surface on paper
• a woodblock print
• an exhibit of 16th-century German prints
4 [count] : a mark made on the surface of something: such as
a : fingerprint
• The detectives found his prints on the wine glass.
• Police dusted the house for prints.
b : footprint
• A muddy print on the sidewalk matched the tread on the suspect's boots.
5 [count] : cloth that has a pattern printed on it
• The fabric store had a variety of plaids and prints available.
• a floral print dress