painter

¹ American  

[payn-ter] / ˈpeɪn tər /

noun

1. an artist who paints pictures.

2. a person who coats walls or other surfaces with paint, especially as an occupation.

3. Astronomy. Painter, the constellation Pictor.

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painter ² American  

[payn-ter] / ˈpeɪn tər /

noun

1. a rope, usually at the bow, for fastening a boat to a ship, stake, etc.

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painter ³ American  

[payn-ter] / ˈpeɪn tər /

noun

1. cougar.

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painter ¹ British  

/ ˈpeɪntə /

noun

1. a person who paints surfaces as a trade

2. an artist who paints pictures

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painter ² British  

/ ˈpeɪntə /

noun

1. a line attached to the bow of a boat for tying it up

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Etymology

Origin of painter¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English peyntour, pentour, paint(o)ur, from Anglo-French peint(o)ur, from unattested Vulgar Latin pinctor, from Latin pictor (noun derivative of pingere paint ( def. ) + -or ² ( def. ) ); see -er ¹ ( def. )

Origin of painter²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English peyntour, pentre, probably from Middle French pentoir, variant of pendoir “rope, cord for hanging things on,” from Old French pentoir, penteur; see origin at pend, -er ²

Origin of painter³

An Americanism dating back to 1755–65; variant of panther

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Explanation

A painter is an artist who uses a brush to daub colors onto paper or canvas. The person who tints your bedroom walls pink at your request is also a painter. The main thing painters have in common is that they use paint — whether it's watercolor, house paint, or finger paint. If you hire a painter to paint your portrait, you'll end up with a work of art suitable for framing. And if you hire a painter to paint your house green, you'll end up with a green house. If a sailboat captain mentions a painter, they're probably referring to the special rope used for towing or tying up a boat.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

painter

Changing course, he committed to being a realist painter of small-town life in Iowa.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

When the family got back, they received a phone call from a painter who was doing work in the house, who had found Clare.

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026

Here, by contrast, the exploration turns further inward: “Self-Portrait, Age 23” becomes an inquiry not only into the nature of painting, but into the nature of the painter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

Though the tableaux depict hardships endured by a painter born in 1593, Artemisia, the impressions convey yearning, grief, suffering and resilience that transcend centuries.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

He dropped the paddle at his feet and groped for the painter with his free hand.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

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Related Words

• animator
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