Pottered: meaning, definitions and examples

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pottered

 

[ ˈpɒtərd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

informal activity

To potter means to spend time doing casual or unimportant tasks. It often refers to engaging in light, leisurely activities that are not particularly strenuous or demanding. People might potter around their homes, tending to gardening, crafting, or repairing items. This term conveys a sense of relaxed productivity, where the focus is more on the enjoyment of the activity rather than the outcome.

Synonyms

dawdle, fiddle, mosey, piddle, tinker

Examples of usage

  • She pottered around the garden, enjoying the sunshine.
  • He spent the afternoon pottering with his model trains.
  • They pottered about in the kitchen, making dinner.
  • After breakfast, she decided to potter in the living room.
  • He likes to potter on weekends without a fixed schedule.

Translations

Translations of the word "pottered" in other languages:

🇵🇹 jardineiro

🇮🇳 बगीचे में काम करना

🇩🇪 töpfern

🇮🇩 berkebun

🇺🇦 потерти

🇵🇱 ceramika

🇯🇵 陶芸をする

🇫🇷 faire de la poterie

🇪🇸 hacer cerámica

🇹🇷 seramik yapmak

🇰🇷 도자기를 만들다

🇸🇦 صناعة الفخار

🇨🇿 hrát si s hlínou

🇸🇰 robiť keramiku

🇨🇳 制作陶器

🇸🇮 delati keramiko

🇮🇸 gera leirlist

🇰🇿 керамика жасау

🇬🇪 ქსოვნა

🇦🇿 keramika etmək

🇲🇽 hacer cerámica

Etymology

The word 'potter' has its origins in the early 17th century, deriving from the verb form of 'pot,' which originally meant to make earthenware or clay pots. The usage of 'potter' evolved to describe not just the act of making pottery but also the casual movements associated with such activities. Over time, the term transitioned into a more generalized meaning, referring to any aimless or leisurely activity, particularly in a domestic setting. Thus, to 'potter' reflects both an action and an attitude, emphasizing a relaxed approach to the tasks at hand. The informal sense captures a spirit of creativity and enjoyment in pursuits that may appear simple or mundane but provide a rich and fulfilling use of one’s time.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,515, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.