easel

noun

ea·​sel ˈē-zəl How to pronounce easel (audio)
: a frame for supporting something (such as an artist's canvas)

Illustration of easel

Illustration of easel

Examples of easel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bring your own materials but easels, tables, chairs and drawing horses are provided. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 For Round 2, Sam brings in artists Kiana, Lisa, and Caldwell, and sets them up with easels. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026 The ocean-facing solarium was not only a bit of architectural derring-do by Goldman but also one of Mitchell’s creative spaces; photographs by Henry Diltz show her painting at an easel beside the glass doors that open to the beachside pool and spa. — Mark David, Robb Report, 23 July 2026 Eventually, the couple broke protocol through their email and social media announcement ahead of the typical easel announcement. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for easel

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Dutch ezel, literally, "donkey," going back to Middle Dutch esel, going back to Germanic *asil- (whence Old Saxon & Old High German esil "donkey," Old English esol, eosol, Gothic asilus), altered from Latin asinus — more at ass entry 1

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of easel was in 1596

Rhymes for easel

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Browse Nearby Words

easeful
easel
easelback
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Easel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/easel. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

easel

noun
ea·​sel ˈē-zəl How to pronounce easel (audio)
: a frame for supporting something (as an artist's canvas)
Etymology

from Dutch ezel "a frame to hold an artist's canvas," literally, "donkey"

Word Origin
An easel is a frame for holding up such things as an artist's painting or a chalkboard. In the 17th century the Dutch had become famous throughout Europe for their oil painting. Thus it was their word ezel, which they used to refer to this piece of equipment, that was borrowed into English around that time. This sense of ezel was an extension of the original meaning "donkey," probably because an easel, like a beast of burden, is used to hold things.

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