Definition

A type of clay that is used as a pigment in painting, which can be brownish yellow when raw and reddish brown when burnt.

Example

The artist used burnt sienna to create warm tones in the landscape painting.

Conversation

I just bought some new paint colors for my art project.

Nice! Which ones did you get?

I got a lovely sienna that I can't wait to use.

That sounds great! I love how sienna adds warmth to paintings.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Sienna** → The word 'sienna' originates from the Italian 'terra di Siena', meaning 'earth of Siena', referring to the reddish-brown color derived from the clay found in the region of Siena, Italy. It describes a specific shade of color that resembles the earth from that area.

Memory Tip

Imagine the rich, reddish-brown earth from the region of Siena in Italy — that's what 'sienna' refers to, connecting the color to its geographical origin.

Visually Confused Words