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 Surfside neighborhood, with its ice cream stands, shallow pools, and merry-go-round is built expressly for children, with face painters and balloon animal artists on hand daily and a puppet show to round out the evenings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Amy Sherald American painter Amy Sherald, perhaps known best for her portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama, is now one of the most influential painters of her generation. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

The painter is known for her realist depictions of everyday Black life and her historic official portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama. — Brianna J. Heath, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Boty was making a name for herself as a painter, working out of her small upstairs flat in West London, the one woman in an emerging circle of British Pop artists that included David Hockney, Derek Boshier, David Bailey, and Peter Blake. — Sean Wilentz, Rolling Stone, 6 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