potter
1 of 2noun
pot·ter ˈpä-tər 
: one that makes pottery
potter
2 of 2verb
pottered; pottering; potters
intransitive verb
: putter
potterer
ˈpä-tər-ər
noun potteringly
ˈpä-tə-riŋ-lē
adverb 
Synonyms
Verb
- doodle
- fiddle (around)
- fool around
- fribble
- goof (around)
- hang about [British]
- kick around
- mess around
- monkey (around)
- play
- putter (around)
- trifle
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2022 Perhaps no contemporary maker has had more fun with busts than the potter Jonathan Adler, who has been sculpting them for decades at his New York studio. New York Times, 11 Apr. 2022 Jonathan Adler, the potter, designer and housewares guru known for whimsical, modernist collectibles, has his own version of nostalgia. Washington Post, 9 Dec. 2021 The free event allows guests to see what Hebron was like years ago, by visiting the blacksmith shop, one room school, chair maker, wood carver, potter, tinsmith, a colonial home, timber framer, farmer, and local colonial militia of the day. Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2022 Simpson’s mother, Roxanne Swentzell, could rightly be considered the most influential living Pueblo potter. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 In Hypochondriac, Will (an electric Zach Villa), a young gay potter, seemingly has it all: a great boyfriend, an artistic life, everything a creative individual could want. Jeff Ewing, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 The horror film stars Zach Villa as Will, a gay potter who keeps the darkness of his childhood secret from his loving boyfriend. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 28 July 2022 Up next is Heath’s partnership with Akio Nukaga, a veteran potter from Kasama, Japan, who works with his wife, daughter or the occasional assistant to make pieces with pleated surfaces that are inspired by traditional shinogi carving techniques. New York Times, 14 July 2022 New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020 Ammons, who could control the rate of his unrolling tape by slowing down his writing, liked to potter around. Dan Chiasson, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2020 Which brings us to Streep’s Mary Louise, a folksy enigma in greige cardigans and ferrety prosthetic teeth, who potters around Monterey making all her rudest inner observations out loud. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 7 June 2019 As a young journalist, Ms. Lawson often ended up pottering around the kitchen when copy was due, to help focus her thoughts. Eleanore Park, WSJ, 12 Apr. 2018 These theories often involve high-end sports cars, swimming pools or pottering around the expensive parts of the Monopoly board, enjoying fine food and donning overpriced designer clothing. SI.com, 16 Feb. 2018 A place to potter and fix and, dare it be said, a temporary respite from the stresses and strains of modern life. John Sinnott, CNN, 16 May 2017 See More
Noun
Keurig is brewing up something sweet for your countertop in collaboration with renowned potter and interior designer Jonathan Adler. Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2022 Perhaps no contemporary maker has had more fun with busts than the potter Jonathan Adler, who has been sculpting them for decades at his New York studio. New York Times, 11 Apr. 2022 Jonathan Adler, the potter, designer and housewares guru known for whimsical, modernist collectibles, has his own version of nostalgia. Washington Post, 9 Dec. 2021 The free event allows guests to see what Hebron was like years ago, by visiting the blacksmith shop, one room school, chair maker, wood carver, potter, tinsmith, a colonial home, timber framer, farmer, and local colonial militia of the day. Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2022 Simpson’s mother, Roxanne Swentzell, could rightly be considered the most influential living Pueblo potter. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 In Hypochondriac, Will (an electric Zach Villa), a young gay potter, seemingly has it all: a great boyfriend, an artistic life, everything a creative individual could want. Jeff Ewing, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 The horror film stars Zach Villa as Will, a gay potter who keeps the darkness of his childhood secret from his loving boyfriend. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 28 July 2022 Up next is Heath’s partnership with Akio Nukaga, a veteran potter from Kasama, Japan, who works with his wife, daughter or the occasional assistant to make pieces with pleated surfaces that are inspired by traditional shinogi carving techniques. New York Times, 14 July 2022 Verb
Can the simple, tactile pleasure of pottering in the dirt or watching seedlings sprout comfort us at a time of loss and bewilderment? New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020 Ammons, who could control the rate of his unrolling tape by slowing down his writing, liked to potter around. Dan Chiasson, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2020 Which brings us to Streep’s Mary Louise, a folksy enigma in greige cardigans and ferrety prosthetic teeth, who potters around Monterey making all her rudest inner observations out loud. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 7 June 2019 As a young journalist, Ms. Lawson often ended up pottering around the kitchen when copy was due, to help focus her thoughts. Eleanore Park, WSJ, 12 Apr. 2018 These theories often involve high-end sports cars, swimming pools or pottering around the expensive parts of the Monopoly board, enjoying fine food and donning overpriced designer clothing. SI.com, 16 Feb. 2018 A place to potter and fix and, dare it be said, a temporary respite from the stresses and strains of modern life. John Sinnott, CNN, 16 May 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
probably frequentative of English dialect pote to poke
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1829, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing potter
Kids Definition
potter
noun
pot·ter ˈpä-tər
: a person who makes pottery
Biographical Definition
Potter 1 of 2
biographical name (1)
Pot·ter ˈpä-tər
Beatrix 1866–1943 British writer and illustrator
Potter
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Paul or Paulus 1625–1654 Dutch painter