stencil
stencil Lexical Profile
stencil Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A thin sheet of material (such as plastic, cardboard, or metal) with a pattern or letters cut out of it, used to transfer the design onto an underlying surface by applying ink or paint through the openings.
"She used a plastic stencil to easily paint perfect stars onto the bedroom ceiling."
A design, pattern, or decoration produced by using a cut-out template.
"The artist applied a large floral stencil to the side of the brick building."
• verb
To produce a design, pattern, or lettering on a surface by applying pigment through a cut-out template.
"Volunteers stenciled the charity's logo onto hundreds of canvas tote bags before the event."
To mark or decorate a surface with a patterned template.
"They decided to stencil the wooden floor instead of laying down a traditional rug."
• Rhymes for stencil
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 18th century (as a verb): perhaps from Old French 'estinceler' (to sparkle), from 'estincele' (spark), based on Latin 'scintilla'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.