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

Miles is a brilliant basketball player, comparable to a painter or actor with her showmanship on the court and a mind that operates at a different level than most other athletes. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026

When Hernandez asked Schnabel to speak about his visual style as a painter versus as a filmmaker, the artist eventually answered the question. —G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026

His first mature photographs made during his university years revisited Scandinavian Romanticism—typified by the stormy, sublime landscapes of painters such as Johan Christian Dahl—with a sly spin. —Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026

Survivors include his wife, Parmelee, who worked at the American Place Theater as a costumes and scenery painter. —Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 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

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