potter

¹

[ pot-er ]

noun

1. a person who makes pottery.

potter

²

[ pot-er ]

verb (used without object)

, Chiefly British.

1. putter ¹.

Potter

³

[ pot-er ]

noun

1. Be·a·trix [bee, -, uh, -triks], 1866–1943, English writer and illustrator of children's books.
2. Paul, 1625–54, Dutch painter.

Potter

¹

/ ˈpɒtə /

noun

1. Potter(Helen) Beatrix18661943FBritishWRITING: children's authorARTS AND CRAFTS: illustrator ( Helen ) Beatrix. 1866–1943, British author and illustrator of children's animal stories, such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902)
2. PotterDennis (Christopher George)19351994MBritishTHEATRE: dramatist Dennis ( Christopher George ). 1935–94, British dramatist. His TV plays include Pennies from Heaven (1978), The Singing Detective (1986), and Blackeyes (1989)
3. PotterPaulus16251654MDutchARTS AND CRAFTS: painter Paulus. 1625–54, Dutch painter, esp of animals
4. PotterStephen19001970MBritishWRITING: humorous writerWRITING: critic Stephen. 1900–70, British humorist and critic. Among his best-known works are Gamesmanship (1947) and One-Upmanship (1952), on the art of achieving superiority over others

potter

²

/ ˈpɒtə /

verb

1. intr; often foll by about or around to busy oneself in a desultory though agreeable manner
2. intr; often foll by along or about to move with little energy or direction

   to potter about town

3. trusually foll byaway to waste (time)

   to potter the day away

noun

1. the act of pottering

potter

³

/ ˈpɒtə /

noun

1. a person who makes pottery

Derived Forms

• ˈpotterer, noun

Other Words From

• potter·er noun
• potter·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of potter¹

before 1100; Middle English; late Old English pottere. See pot ¹, -er ¹

Origin of potter²

1520–30; frequentative of obsolete, dial. pote to push, poke, Middle English poten, Old English potian to push, thrust. See put, -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of potter¹

C16 (in the sense: to poke repeatedly): from Old English potian to thrust; see put

Example Sentences

Rangers, who beat Partick Thistle 4-1 in last season's final, had the biggest quarter-final win with Jo Potter's side defeating hosts Motherwell 8-1.

From BBC

She’s been a potter, a poet and a felonious con artist.

From Los Angeles Times

Alternatively, it might just be a personal DIY job they want assistance with, or just some company while they potter and chisel away.

From BBC

For a reasonable price, you can dress your baby up as Cher Horowitz, Doc Brown, Lord Farquaad, Mary Poppins or a Rydell High cheerleader while you yourself take on the persona of Austin Powers, Forrest Gump, Harry Potter or Wonder Woman.

From Los Angeles Times

When he was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, few would have expected Potter to be out of a job for long.

From BBC

Related Words

• fidget
• fool
• interfere