potter

1 of 2

noun

pot·​ter ˈpä-tər 

: one that makes pottery

potter

2 of 2

verb

pottered; pottering; potters

intransitive verb

: putter

potterer

ˈpä-tər-ər 

noun

potteringly

ˈpä-tə-riŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of potter

Verb

• putter (around)
• play
• goof (around)
• fiddle (around)
• monkey (around)
• fool around
• hang about

Examples of potter in a Sentence

Verb

pottering around indoors on a rainy day

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Passing the Light, Bvlgari’s first global Diwali campaign, centers on an installation by artist Doyel Joshi, made from 4,500 terracotta elements shaped into the house’s Serpenti motif in collaboration with the Kumhar community of potters. — Sujata Assomull, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026

The majority of the prints are located on arms, armor, and heads, the areas where a potter grips and molds the pieces. — News Desk, Artforum, 21 Oct. 2026

Verb

There’s nothing better than a cold and crispy walk or a day of pottering through villages and independent shops, then settling in front of a crackling fire with a proper English roast dinner. — Andrea Bussell, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025

One week Zoë could be working at her job, pottering in the garden, playing with Penelope…but the next week could be spent in bed, in pain, recovering from a surgery or dealing with treatment side effects. — Michael Nied, People.com, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably frequentative of English dialect pote to poke

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing potter

• potter around/about
• potter's clay
• potter's field
• potter's wheel

Rhymes for potter

• auteur
• blotter
• cotter
• daughter
• hotter
• mater
• otter
• plotter
• rotter
• slaughter
• spotter
• squatter

Kids Definition

potter

1 of 2 noun

pot·​ter ˈpät-ər 

: one that makes pottery

potter

2 of 2 verb

: putter entry 3

potterer noun

Biographical Definition

Potter 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Pot·​ter ˈpä-tər 

Beatrix 1866–1943 British writer and illustrator

Potter

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Paul or Paulus 1625–1654 Dutch painter