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
Noun
The Philosophical Research Society has also reissued a deck of tarot cards created by Hall and his frequent collaborator, artist and set painter John Augustus Knapp. Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023 In history, poets have written about blue, painters have painted about blue. Cat Zhang, Pitchfork, 11 Sep. 2023 Then mask off surrounding surfaces with painters’ tape and make sure there is plastic covering the floor. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023 Los Angeles painter Nzinga's joyous recent solo show, Fast Freedom, is filled with the vehicles that have inspired him. Brett Berk, Car and Driver, 2 Sep. 2023 There are not many painters like her who are unabashedly loose and symbolic. Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2023 Mystic Seaport Museum With a naturalist’s attuned eye and a painter’s expressive hand, the artist paints worlds most of us never think of, deploying motifs that echo through art history. Cate McQuaid, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2023 Turf Tank, the company that makes the machine, says the robot is seven times faster than human painters, saves 50 percent on paint and draws perfect lines. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2023 In his telling, his father — a house painter in New York, according to campaign contribution records — was a top executive in the United States. Marina Dias, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'painter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near painter

Cite this Entry

“Painter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painter. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

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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