print

PRINT/pɹɪnt/

Verbprints, printing, printed

Noun pluralprints (some meanings)

23 meanings of print

Practice

1
verbtransitive or intransitive
To make copies of words or pictures on paper or another surface, usually with a machine.
Like using a stamp to put the same picture on page after page.
The shop can print your photos in about an hour.
She printed fifty copies of the flyer for the meeting.
UsageSay print a photo or print out a page.
Similarproduce, reproduce, copy
Note
2
verbtransitive or intransitive
To put words or pictures into a book, newspaper, or magazine for people to read.
Like sharing a story with everyone by putting it in the newspaper.
The newspaper printed her letter on the front page.
They will print the correction in tomorrow's edition.
UsageUsually a newspaper or book company prints a story or letter.
Similarpublish, run, carry, issue
Note
3
paper publishingnoununcountable
Books, newspapers, and other written material made on a press, taken as a whole.
Like all the paper books and magazines gathered together as one thing.
Many readers still prefer print to reading on a screen.
The story appeared in print the following morning.
Note
4
art copynouncountable
A picture made in many copies using a printing process.
Like getting many copies of the same drawing instead of just one.
She bought a framed print of a famous painting.
The gift shop sells prints of all the museum's artworks.
Similarpicture
Note
5
patternnouncountable or uncountable
A pattern printed on a surface, such as cloth or paper, or cloth with a printed pattern.
Like the repeating shapes you see covering a piece of wrapping paper.
She chose a bright floral print for the curtains.
This dress has a bold animal print.
UsageSay a floral print or an animal print.
6
adjective
Connected to newspapers, magazines, and other printed media, or writing for them.
She built her career in print journalism before moving to television.
The magazine maintains a strong print edition alongside its website.
UsageUsed before another word: print edition, print journalist.
Oppositedigital, online
7
verbtransitive
To press colored shapes or patterns onto cloth or paper.
Like pressing a wet stamp onto paper to leave a colored mark.
The factory prints bright flowers onto cotton fabric.
They print colorful designs on every t-shirt by hand.
UsageSay print flowers onto cloth.
8
noununcountable
The letters and words you read on a printed page.
Like the rows of small black shapes that spell out the words you read.
The print in this book is too small for me to read.
Please read the small print before you sign.
UsageSmall print means tiny words in a contract. Large print means big letters.
Similartype, text, lettering, font
9
nouncountable
A photo printed on paper, from film or from a digital picture.
Like turning a tiny film picture into a paper photo you can hold.
She picked up the prints from the photo shop.
He kept one print of the wedding photo in his wallet.
Similarphotograph, photo
Note

Less common meanings

10
write letters apartverbtransitive or intransitive
To write letters clearly and separately, not joined together like in cursive.
Like drawing each letter on its own, the way capital letters stand apart.
Please print your name at the top of the form.
He printed each letter carefully so the teacher could read it.
UsageOn forms, print your name means write it clearly, not sign it.
Note
11
finger marknouncountable
A mark made by the lines on the tip of a finger.
Like the special mark your fingertip leaves, different for every person.
The detective found a clear print on the glass.
They matched the print to a known suspect.
UsagePolice take your prints or find a print on a glass.
Similarfingerprint
12
pressed marknouncountable
A mark left where something pressed on a surface, like a foot or paw.
Like the mark a stamp leaves when you press it on paper.
The wet shoe left a clear print on the floor.
The cat left a muddy print on the white rug.
UsageOften in footprint, paw print, and shoe print.
13
noununcountable
Handwriting where the letters stand separately and are not joined like cursive.
Like writing where each letter sits alone, the way you first learn the alphabet.
Her print is much easier to read than her cursive.
Write in print so the scanner can read the form.
Oppositecursive, script
14
show on screenverbtransitive
To show text on a computer screen.
Like a calculator showing the answer on its little screen.
The program will print an error message when something goes wrong.
Type this command to print your name on the screen.
UsageSay print to the screen.
Similaroutput, display, write, show
Note
15
take finger marksverbtransitive
To take someone's fingerprints, usually for police records.
The officers printed each suspect before booking them.
Police will print anyone they arrest at the station.
UsageOften be printed or get printed by the police.
Similarfingerprint
Note
16
film copynouncountable
A copy of a movie, made so it can be shown in a theater.
Like one copy of a movie, ready to play on a big screen.
The studio sent a fresh print to every theater for opening night.
Only one print of the silent film still survives today.
UsagePeople say a print is struck (made) from a film negative.
Similarcopy
Note
17
verbtransitive
To press a mark into something, or to fix something firmly in someone's memory.
Like pressing a footprint into wet sand that stays there.
Press the stamp hard to print the design into the clay.
That awful day is printed on my memory forever.
UsageOften printed on my memory.
Similarstamp, imprint
Note
18
a newspapernoundatedcountable
A newspaper that people read for news.
UsageMostly in old phrases like the public prints, meaning the newspapers.
Similarnewspaper, paper, daily, journal
19
verbslang
To let a hidden gun show its shape through your clothing by accident.
20
verb
To make a computer chip using a method like printing a picture.
21
verb
To show a number or price that everyone in the market can see.
22
noun
A single piece of data, such as a price or figure that markets watch.
23
noun
A plaster shape with a raised design, used to decorate buildings.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of print apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Middle English printen, a shortened form of emprinten meaning 'to imprint' or 'press in'.

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Print derives from Middle English printen. en.wiktionary.org
Middle English printen was a shortened form of emprinten. en.wiktionary.org
Emprinten meant to imprint or press in. en.wiktionary.org