putter

1 of 3

noun (1)

put·ter ˈpu̇-tər

: one that puts

a putter of questions

putter

2 of 3

noun (2)

putt·er ˈpə-tər

: a golf club used in putting

: one who putts

putter

3 of 3

verb

put·ter ˈpə-tər

puttered; puttering; putters

intransitive verb

: to move or act aimlessly or idly

: to work at random : tinker

putterer

ˈpə-tər-ər

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

Grip style, shaft length and overall setup are carefully dialed in to ensure the putter not only performs optimally but also inspires confidence at address. — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 After going 3-under on the front nine, Scheffler turned his putter into final-round gold on the turn, draining birdie putts on the first three holes of the back-nine. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 July 2026

Verb

When Axsome went public in 2015, Wall Street was skeptical and the company’s stock puttered along under $10 for years. — Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Jamon would putter behind him slowly in his car, drinking lemonade and blasting the air conditioner. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026 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

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

putten

putter

putter around

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Putter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/putter. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

putter

1 of 3 noun

put·ter ˈpu̇t-ər

: one that puts

putter

2 of 3 noun

putt·er ˈpət-ər

: a golf club used in putting

: a person who putts

putter

3 of 3 verb

put·ter ˈpət-ər

: to move or act without obvious purpose

: to work by chance or without skill

putterer

-ər-ər

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"

putter

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

Synonyms of putter

Examples of putter in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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putter

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

Synonyms of putter

Examples of putter in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing putter

Rhymes for putter

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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