painter

1 of 3

noun (1)

paint·​er ˈpān-tər How to pronounce painter (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce painter (audio)
: a line used for securing or towing a boat

painter

3 of 3

noun (3)

pain·​ter ˈpān-tər How to pronounce painter (audio)

Examples of painter 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.
Noun
Finding one last meditation on the beauty of Majorca, head to Palma’s western outskirts by car to visit the Fundació Miró Mallorca, a museum on the property where the 20th-century Spanish painter Joan Miró lived and worked during the final years of his life. Emilio Parra Doiztua, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 Dom Haury, a woodworker, sculptor, and painter, and Kelsey Saikami, a floral designer, moved to Austin from San Francisco in 2021 and were intent on immersing themselves in the creative community. Linne Halpern, Architectural Digest, 15 Oct. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for painter

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of painter was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Painter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painter. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

painter

1 of 3 noun
paint·​er ˈpānt-ər How to pronounce painter (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on painter

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