putter

1 of 3

noun (1)

put·​ter ˈpu̇-tər How to pronounce putter (audio)
: one that puts
a putter of questions

putter

2 of 3

noun (2)

putt·​er ˈpə-tər How to pronounce putter (audio)
1
: a golf club used in putting
2
: one who putts

putter

3 of 3

verb

put·​ter ˈpə-tər How to pronounce putter (audio)
puttered; puttering; putters

intransitive verb

1
: to move or act aimlessly or idly
2
: to work at random : tinker
putterer noun

Examples of putter in a Sentence

Verb the motorboat puttered across the lake
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Photo : Rolls-Royce Motor Cars A replica of Goldfinger’s gold putter is mounted inside the trunk lid. Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2024 Back injuries are tricky to return from, and Zalatoris switched to a broomstick putter. Brody Miller, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
Verb
Surely, every aggravated Cleveland fan cursing at their TV every time a top half of the inning ended with two or three base runners puttering back to the dugout also declared Thomas would snap out of his funk and fuel the Guardians to victory. Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024 This is the second in an eight-part series exploring the 1989 murder of Kevin Hughes, a country music chart director who knew too much. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The little red Volkswagen puttered northbound along 16th Avenue South. Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for putter 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of potter

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of putter was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near putter

Cite this Entry

“Putter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/putter. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

putter

1 of 3 noun
put·​ter ˈpu̇t-ər How to pronounce putter (audio)
: one that puts

putter

2 of 3 noun
putt·​er ˈpət-ər How to pronounce putter (audio)
1
: a golf club used in putting
2
: a person who putts

putter

3 of 3 verb
put·​ter ˈpət-ər How to pronounce putter (audio)
1
: to move or act without obvious purpose
2
: to work by chance or without skill
putterer noun
Etymology

Noun

from put and -er (noun suffix)

Noun

from putt and -er (noun suffix)

Verb

an altered form of earlier potter "to move about idly without aim or purpose"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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