putter
verb (used without object)
to busy or occupy oneself in a leisurely, casual, or ineffective manner.
puttering
-
present participleof putter.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Shahed drones have been dubbed "flying mopeds" by Ukrainians because of their puttering engines.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2025
Cortes would often walk from the homestead to Arvia to find his abuelito in the shed out back doing maintenance or puttering at his TV and radio repair business.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2024
When you’re puttering around town, however, the Mercedes is the smoother of the two.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 29, 2023
The company’s aesthetically questionable but easily slipped-on clogs were the perfect footwear for Americans puttering around their homes, gardens and kitchens during quarantine.
From New York Times ● Mar. 27, 2023
The water was clean, the sky a sharp Sunday blue, with all the engines of that white sardine fleet puttering up into it, and a lot of yelling, especially around Papa’s boat.
From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston
