putty

¹ American  

[puht-ee] / ˈpʌt i /

noun

plural

putties

1. a compound of whiting and linseed oil, of a doughlike consistency when fresh, used to secure windowpanes, patch woodwork defects, etc.

2. any of various other compounds used for similar purposes.

3. any of various substances for sealing the joints of tubes or pipes, composed of linseed oil with red lead, white lead, iron oxide, etc.

4. a creamy mixture of lime and water, partially dried and mixed with sand and plaster of Paris to make a finish plaster coat.

5. putty powder.

6. any person or thing easily molded, influenced, etc..

   We were putty in his hands.

7. light brownish- or yellowish-gray.

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verb (used with object)

puttied, puttying

1. to secure, cover, etc., with putty.

idioms

1. up to putty, worthless or useless.

putty ² American  

[puht-ee] / ˈpʌt i /

noun

plural

putties

1. puttee.

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putty British  

/ ˈpʌtɪ /

noun

1. a stiff paste made of whiting and linseed oil that is used to fix glass panes into frames and to fill cracks or holes in woodwork, etc

2. any substance with a similar consistency, function, or appearance

3. a mixture of lime and water with sand or plaster of Paris used on plaster as a finishing coat

4. ( as modifier )

   a putty knife

5. See putty powder

6. a person who is easily influenced or persuaded

   he's putty in her hands

7. 1. a colour varying from a greyish-yellow to a greyish-brown or brownish-grey

   2. ( as adjective )

      putty-coloured

8. informal worthless or useless

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verb

1. (tr) to fix, fill, or coat with putty

Other Word Forms

• unputtied
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of putty

First recorded in 1625–35, putty is from the French word potée, literally, (something) potted. See pot ¹, -ee

Explanation

Putty is the clay-like substance you can use to fill holes in a wall before painting it, or to secure a piece of glass in a window frame. Putty comes in different colors and consistencies, but it's generally a very soft doughy material that can fit it small or awkward spaces and hardens after a certain amount of time. Before painting a wall, you might want to putty any holes or cracks, using a putty knife. After the putty dries, you can sand it smooth. The word comes from the French potée, "polishing powder."

Example Sentences

The business of the North American Toy Fair, an annual showcase of the latest in silly putty, monster trucks and board games, is fun.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

Tucked inside Aardman’s putty preoccupations is a potent philosophical statement about the irreplaceable quality of the human touch.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2024

But after so many years in the business, Griffin understands how to maneuver her audience and keep them molded in her hands like putty.

From Salon • Oct. 28, 2024

As Gulley and Benn made repeated trips to Ngozumpa Glacier, they saw that narrow passages often squeezed shut from one year to the next—the glacial ice oozing inward like silly putty.

From National Geographic • Jan. 10, 2024

There was no putty concealing his long, sloping Ashton nose, nor was there a handkerchief tied ’round his face.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• docile
• flexible
• limber
• malleable
• manageable
• pliant
• spongy
• supple