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

Use a piece of painter's tape to mark where the dough should reach when doubled. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2025

It is known to have belonged to 19th-century French classic painter William Bouguereau before it was passed down in the family. —CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025

It was acquired by French painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau, who lived from 1825 to 1905, and had remained in the family home in Paris until his descendants recently decided to sell it, Osenat said. —Jack Guy, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025

The artwork is known to have belonged to 19th-century French classic painter William Bouguereau before being passed down through his family. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 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