painter
Painter (noun) means an artist who paints pictures. Example: “The painter spent hours mixing the right shade of green.”
How to Use Painter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who paints (art or houses), or the rope used to tether a small boat.
The boat-rope sense trips up most readers — it has nothing to do with painting.
Word Forms
painters plural, painters plural, painters plural, Painters plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ spent hours mixing the right shade of green.
Etymology
From Middle English paynter, built from paint plus the agent suffix -er.
Related Words
Rhymes for painter
See all rhymes for painter →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “painter” mean?
The word “painter” means an artist who paints pictures. In plain terms, someone who paints (art or houses), or the rope used to tether a small boat.
How do you pronounce “painter”?
“Painter” is pronounced PAYN-tuh (/ˈpeɪntɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “painter” in a sentence?
Here is “painter” used in a sentence: “The painter spent hours mixing the right shade of green.”
What part of speech is “painter”?
“Painter” is a noun.
Where does the word “painter” come from?
The word “painter” comes from Middle English. From Middle English paynter, built from paint plus the agent suffix -er.
Is “painter” a common word?
“Painter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “painter” have?
“Painter” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an artist who paints pictures.
What is the difference between a 'painter' and a 'decorator'?
In British English, a 'painter and decorator' is a tradesperson who paints and finishes the inside and outside of buildings. Strictly, a painter applies paint, while a decorator may also hang wallpaper and handle other surface finishes, though the two jobs usually overlap.
What is the difference between a 'painter' and an 'artist'?
An 'artist' is a general term for anyone who creates art, which could include sculptors, musicians, or writers. A 'painter' is more specific, referring to an artist who works in paint, or alternatively to a tradesperson who paints buildings.
What is a 'painter' on a boat?
On a boat, the 'painter' is a rope attached to the bow, the front, used to tie the boat up to a dock or to tow it. This meaning is unrelated to painting with a brush.
How do you know whether 'painter' means an artist or a house painter?
Context usually makes it clear: the artist sense appears alongside galleries, styles, or pictures, while the tradesperson sense is linked to jobs like decorating rooms or painting fences. When it matters, people specify 'house painter' or 'portrait painter' to avoid confusion.