Definition

1. Noun:

   • A perforated sheet: A thin sheet of material (such as plastic, metal, or cardboard) with a pattern or letters cut out of it. When ink or paint is applied over it, the color passes through the holes to reproduce the design on a surface placed underneath.
   • The design produced: The pattern or image created by using such a sheet.

2. Verb:

   • To mark using a stencil: To produce a design, letters, or a pattern on a surface by applying ink or paint over a perforated sheet (a stencil).

Examples

• Noun:

  • The artist used a plastic stencil to paint the same flower on each poster.
  • The warning sign on the crate was made with a stencil.

• Verb:

  • She stenciled her name on the toolbox.
  • The walls were stenciled with a border of ivy leaves.

Advanced Usage

• "Stencil art": A form of street art or decoration where designs are applied using stencils.

  • The city is known for its vibrant stencil art on building walls.

• "To cut a stencil": To create the perforated sheet, often using a craft knife or a specialized machine.

  • He cut a detailed stencil of a dragon for his art project.

Variants and Related Words

• Stenciling (n/gerund): The act, process, or result of using a stencil.

  • The stenciling on the furniture gave it a vintage look.

• Stencil brush: A short, stiff, round brush used for dabbing paint through a stencil.

  • Use a stencil brush with a small amount of paint for a clean result.

Synonyms

• Template: A shaped piece of rigid material used as a pattern for processes such as cutting out, shaping, or drilling. (Note: A template is often a guide for cutting or shaping, while a stencil is specifically for applying color through openings.)
• Pattern: A repeated decorative design, which can be transferred using a stencil.

Related Phrases

• Stencil kit: A set of tools and materials for stenciling.

  • She bought a stencil kit to decorate her child's room.

• Stencil paper: A durable paper, often coated, used for making stencils.

  • The design was first drawn onto stencil paper before being cut out.

Idioms

(No common idioms are directly and exclusively formed with the word "stencil.")

Noun

1. a sheet of material (metal, plastic, cardboard, waxed paper, silk, etc.) that has been perforated with a pattern (printing or a design); ink or paint can pass through the perforations to create the printed pattern on the surface below

Verb

1. mark or print with a stencil