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

The painter incorporates surreal imagery in the short film to signify the gaps between life and death, body and spirit, and decay and renewal. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2025

Trier’s paternal grandfather, Ernst, was a talented painter of modernist landscapes who never quite fulfilled his early promise. —Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025

Talladega College, Alabama’s first private historically Black college, has sold four of six murals painted for the institution by renowned Black painter Hale Woodruff in order to shore up its $5 million endowment and make payroll, the New York Times reports. —News Desk, Artforum, 29 Oct. 2025

There will be live entertainment on the Fiesta de Reyes stage, traditional and contemporary Día de los Muertos altars, professional face painters, art demonstrations and catrinas at the plaza. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 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