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

I would sometimes see him puttering around the library in our part of Arlington, Virginia.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 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

The retired truck driver and Gulf War veteran misses mowing the lawn, puttering around his yard and chatting with regulars at the tavern next door.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2023

“Marigold’s practicing oboe”—Cady flicked an elbow toward an upstairs window, from which faint, stilted notes of music had been puttering for the last several minutes—“but I don’t know about Zane and Will.”

From "A Tangle of Knots" by Lisa Graff