Definition

A stand used to hold a canvas or other material for painting or displaying art.

Example

The artist set up her easel in the park to paint the beautiful landscape.

Conversation

I just bought a new easel for my painting class.

That sounds great! Is it a standing one?

Yeah, it's tall and really sturdy.

Perfect! You'll have a lot of fun using it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Easel** → The word 'easel' originates from the Dutch word 'ezel', meaning 'donkey'. The term was used because the structure supports a painter's canvas in a way that resembles how a donkey carries a load. Thus, an easel is a stand that holds a canvas for painting.

Memory Tip

Imagine a donkey ('ezel') carrying a load, just like an easel supports a canvas for painting. This helps you remember that an easel is a stand for holding artwork.

Visually Confused Words