painter

1 of 3

noun (1)

paint·​er ˈpān-tər 

: one that paints: such as

a

: an artist who paints

b

: one who applies paint especially as an occupation

painter

2 of 3

noun (2)

pain·​ter ˈpān-tər 

: a line used for securing or towing a boat

painter

3 of 3

noun (3)

pain·​ter ˈpān-tər 

: cougar sense 1

Examples of painter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Plein air painters will be set up around the grounds to capture the day. —Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025

The Catskills have always been a retreat—first for 19th-century painters and writers, later for city escapees chasing mountain air and summer swims. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025

Highlights include new works by multigenerational painters including Greg Breda, Ali Eyal, Hanna Hur, Beaux Mendes and Patrick Martinez, and a stage play by Leilah Weinraub in collaboration with New Theater Hollywood. —Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025

The year is 1936, just as the art world is abuzz with the rise of surrealism, and the Belgian painter is joined by a renowned roster of hopefuls in Salvador Dalí (Iñaki Mur), Lee Miller (Florence Hall), Man Ray (Frank Bourke) and Max Ernst (Mike Hoffmann). —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English paynter, probably from Middle French dialect (Normandy) pentoir, penteur clothesline, from pendre to hang — more at pendant

Noun (3)

alteration of panther

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

circa 1764, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing painter

• painter's colic

Rhymes for painter

• fainter

Kids Definition

painter

1 of 3 noun

paint·​er ˈpānt-ər 

: one that paints

especially : an artist who paints

painter

2 of 3 noun

pain·​ter

: a line used for attaching or towing a boat

painter

3 of 3 noun

pain·​ter

: cougar

Etymology

Noun

from paint (verb) and -er (noun suffix)

Noun

Middle English paynter "a line used for securing a boat," probably from early French pentoir, penteur "clothesline"

Noun

an altered form of panther