painter

1
[ peyn-ter ]
See synonyms for painter on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an artist who paints pictures.

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

  1. Painter, Astronomy. the constellation Pictor.

Origin of painter

1
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 + -or2); see -er1

Other definitions for painter (2 of 3)

painter2
[ peyn-ter ]

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

Origin of painter

2
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, -er2

Other definitions for painter (3 of 3)

painter3
[ peyn-ter ]

Origin of painter

3
An Americanism dating back to 1755–65; variant of panther

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use painter in a sentence

  • Eustache le Sueur died; one of the best French historical painters of his time.

  • The acts placed a duty (an external tax) upon glass, paper, painters' colors, white lead and tea.

  • The house was being remodeled entirely, after Mr. Cordyce's own plans, and everywhere were carpenters, painters and decorators.

    The Box-Car Children | Gertrude Chandler Warner
  • Among the greatest of painters there have always been men who painted smoothly and men who painted roughly.

    The Painter in Oil | Daniel Burleigh Parkhurst
  • Some of these basins in the heart of old Paris would have offered precious scenes and tones of color to painters.

    Catherine de' Medici | Honore de Balzac

British Dictionary definitions for painter (1 of 2)

painter1

/ (ˈpeɪntə) /


noun
  1. a person who paints surfaces as a trade

  2. an artist who paints pictures

British Dictionary definitions for painter (2 of 2)

painter2

/ (ˈpeɪntə) /


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

Origin of painter

2
C15: probably from Old French penteur strong rope

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012