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

Chinese painter and filmmaker Qiu Jiongjiong began shaping his new film during the pandemic. — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026

Her great-great-uncle was Francis Davis Millet, a famous painter and sculptor of the late 19th century who died as a passenger on the Titanic in 1912. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

At 96, Surrealist painter Cossette Zeno is having her moment. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Over the next few centuries, individual lapdogs make a more determined bid for the viewer’s attention, as painters depicted them with character and a whole array of mischievous tricks. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English paynter, probably from Middle French dialect (Normandy) pentoir, penteur clothesline, from pendre to hang — more at pendant entry 1

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