thinner

/ˈθɪnə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [θˈɪnɚ] /ˈθɪnər/ (ame, ipa) · [θˈɪnɚ] /ˈthi-nər How to pronounce thinner (audio)/ (ame, mw)

thinner — noun

1. A chemical liquid that you mix into thick paint, varnish, or similar coating so

1.名詞B1
釋義

A chemical liquid that you mix into thick paint, varnish, or similar coating so that it becomes easier to spread or apply to a surface.

例句

Tendai added a little thinner to the blue paint before starting the wall.

collocation: add + thinner + to + paint

Does this hardware store sell mineral-based thinner for oil paints?

同義詞
  • diluent

    More technical term, common in chemistry and manufacturing contexts.

  • solvent

    Broader meaning — a solvent dissolves a substance, not only thins it. All thinners are solvents, but not all solvents are thinners.

反義詞
  • thickener

    A substance added to make a liquid thicker rather than thinner.

文法句型

thinner + for [type of paint]

add + thinner + to [substance]

用法筆記

Commonly used with oil-based paints and varnishes; water-based paints are thinned with water instead. 'Thinner' can be uncountable (some thinner) or countable (several thinners for different purposes).

常見錯誤

❌I poured thinner into the soup to make it less thick.
✅I added thinner to the paint to make it easier to spread.
💡Thinner is only used for paints, varnishes, and industrial coatings, not for food or general liquids.
❌I used water as a thinner for oil paint.
✅I used mineral spirits as a thinner for oil paint.
💡Oil-based paints require chemical thinners, not water.