potter

1 of 2

noun

pot·​ter ˈpä-tər 

: one that makes pottery

potter

2 of 2

verb

pottered; pottering; potters

intransitive verb

: putter

potterer

ˈpä-tər-ər 

noun

potteringly

ˈpä-tə-riŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

Verb

• putter (around)
• play
• goof (around)
• fiddle (around)
• monkey (around)
• fool around
• hang about [British]

Examples of potter in a Sentence

Verb

pottering around indoors on a rainy day

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Jonathan Adler is the the designer, potter, and author behind the namesake brand Jonathan Adler. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025

Each October, the shop hosts the Texas Pottery Festival, featuring more than 80 Texas potters and clay artists. —Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025

Verb

One week Zoë could be working at her job, pottering in the garden, playing with Penelope…but the next week could be spent in bed, in pain, recovering from a surgery or dealing with treatment side effects. —Michael Nied, People.com, 7 July 2025

One rainy afternoon, the kindly octogenarian — wrapped in a warm leopard print jumper — stops pottering around and sinks into her favorite chair to call her daughter. —David Opie, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably frequentative of English dialect pote to poke

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing potter

• potter around/about
• potter's clay
• potter's field
• potter's wheel

Rhymes for potter

• blotter
• cotter
• daughter
• hotter
• mater
• otter
• plotter
• rotter
• slaughter
• spotter
• squatter
• totter

Kids Definition

potter

1 of 2 noun

pot·​ter ˈpät-ər 

: one that makes pottery

potter

2 of 2 verb

: putter entry 3

potterer noun

Biographical Definition

Potter 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Pot·​ter ˈpä-tər 

Beatrix 1866–1943 British writer and illustrator

Potter

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Paul or Paulus 1625–1654 Dutch painter