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Definition of indian paintbrush
indian paintbrush
Plural:indian paintbrushes
indian paintbrush Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American Any of numerous hemiparasitic plants of the genus Castilleja, native primarily to western North America, characterized by striking, brilliantly colored bracts (often red, orange, or yellow) that conceal the actual small flowers and look like brushes dipped in paint.
Example
"As we hiked through the subalpine meadows of Wyoming, the vibrant red stalks of Indian paintbrush stood out vividly against the surrounding greenery."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Named for its brightly colored floral bracts, which visually resemble a brush dipped in vivid paint, and its historical significance and medicinal use among Native American tribes.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Indian paintbrush. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/indian paintbrush