painter
gb/pˈeɪntɚ/ us/pˈeɪntɚ/
A2
English
~ 4200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
An artist who creates paintings
A person who makes pictures with paint.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a painter
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'painter' with 'paint' as a verb, saying 'He is paint' instead of 'He is a painter'.
Synonyms
artist (A general term for someone who creates art, not limited to painting.)
Antonyms
sculptor (An artist who creates three-dimensional works rather than paintings.)
Collocations
famous painter
|portrait painter
|landscape painter
|painter's studio
|abstract painter
Themes
art
|jobs
|creativity
|arts_entertainment
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The museum is exhibiting works by a famous Spanish painter.
- She trained as a painter before becoming a sculptor.
- The painter spent months perfecting the portrait.
Learner examples
- The painter is working in his studio.
- She is a painter of flowers.
- My uncle is a painter and sells his art.
Noun
A2
entity
2
A worker who paints surfaces
A person who paints houses, walls, or other things as a job.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a painter
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the artistic sense, especially when context is not clear.
Synonyms
decorator (In British English, often refers to someone who paints and decorates interior spaces.)
Antonyms
plasterer (A tradesperson who covers walls with plaster instead of painting them.)
Collocations
house painter
|professional painter
|hire a painter
|painter and decorator
Themes
jobs
|construction
|daily life
|work
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We hired a painter to repaint the kitchen.
- The painter worked quickly to finish the exterior before the rain started.
- As a painter, he specializes in restoring old buildings.
Learner examples
- The painter is painting the wall.
- We need a painter for our new house.
- My father is a painter and paints houses.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
Rope for tying or towing a boat
A rope at the front of a small boat for tying it to something or pulling it.
Usage pattern:
tie [something] with the painter
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'painter' here means someone who paints, not realizing it's a nautical term for a rope.
Synonyms
mooring line (A more general nautical term for any rope used to secure a vessel.)
Antonyms
anchor chain (A chain used to secure a boat via its anchor rather than tying it to another object.)
Collocations
boat painter
|secure with a painter
Themes
nautical
|transport
|travel
|transportation
Examples
- He tied the canoe to the dock with the painter.
- Make sure the painter is secure before leaving the boat.
- The kayak's painter was frayed and needed replacing.
Learner examples
- Tie the boat with the painter.
- The painter is long and strong.
- We pull the canoe with the painter.
Grammar
Dictionary form
painter
IPA
GB/pˈeɪntɚ/
US/pˈeɪntɚ/
Syllables & stress
paint - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (paint)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: painter
- Plural: painters
Word family
Forms
painters
noun
Core family
paint
verb A2
painting
noun
Related words
paintbrush
noun A2
Negative and opposite forms
unpainted
adjective
Expressions
house painter
1/hˈaʊs pˈeɪntɚ/
fixed phrase
A tradesperson who paints houses
A person whose job is to paint houses.
Examples
- We called a house painter to repaint our living room.
- House painters are in high demand during the summer months.
painter and decorator
1/pˈeɪntɚ ˈænd dˈɛkɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
A tradesperson doing painting and decorating work
A person whose job is to paint and decorate rooms or buildings.
Examples
- We hired a painter and decorator for our new apartment.
- Painter and decorators often work on both walls and ceilings.
portrait painter
1/pˈɔɹtɹɪt pˈeɪntɚ/
fixed phrase
An artist specializing in portraits
An artist who paints pictures of people.
Examples
- She became well known as a portrait painter in the 19th century.
- The portrait painter captured his subject's smile perfectly.