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
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Noun
But most importantly, Rebecca, the filmmaker, documentarian, screenwriter, novelist, and painter, who flows between various mediums and art forms, and won awards across all, creates her art without compromising kindness and morality. Damon Cardasis, IndieWire, 4 June 2026 During the Grand Tour era in the 18th century, poets, painters, and aristocrats flocked here to admire the city’s ancient ruins and baroque art and architecture—still valid reasons to visit now, though today’s travelers will find plenty of modern pleasures as well. Laura Itzkowitz, Robb Report, 4 June 2026 Some viewers and beginner-painters valued his bare-bones instructions on how to create unchallenging landscape portraits, while still some others undoubtedly enjoyed Ross and his painting lessons for their snark value. Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 4 June 2026 Concurrent with her writing, cartooning, and painting efforts, Satrapi pursued a career as a painter. News Desk, Artforum, 4 June 2026 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 5 Jun. 2026.

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

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