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)
: cougar sense 1

Examples of painter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Cedar came to von Rydingsvard through the painter Michael Mulhern, who purchased many 4x4s for her. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 In Minor Black Figures, Taylor casts a sharp gaze on the New York art scene through the eyes of Wyeth, a young Black painter caught in the throes of creative struggle. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 German painter Johan Zoffany’s Portrait of Prince Jawan Bakht (also known as Jahandar Shah), 1784, is among the collection’s highlights, and represents a rare Zoffany canvas held in a UK public collection. — News Desk, Artforum, 26 Oct. 2026 Tutoring from painter Marcel Duchamp led to the opening of Jeune, her first gallery, in London in 1938. — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for painter

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of painter was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing painter

Rhymes for painter

See All Rhymes for painter

Browse Nearby Words

painted turtle
painter
painter's brush
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Cite this Entry

“Painter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painter. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about painter

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