Printer

ˈprɪntər

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonTechnology
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A machine that transfers text or graphics onto paper or other media.

ˈprɪntər

nounneutralBeginner
Technology

A machine that produces printed documents.

The printer is out of paper.

💡 Simply: It's like a magic box that turns what you see on your computer into paper copies! It's really helpful when you need to share something you've written with people who don't have a screen.

👶 For kids: A printer is a machine that can make a copy of what you see on a computer onto paper!

More Examples

2

Can you send the document to the printer?

3

We need to replace the old printer with a new one.

How It's Used

Office environment

"The office printer ran out of ink."

Home use

"I need to buy a new printer for my home office."

2

A person or company that produces printed materials.

ˈprɪntər

nounneutralmedium
Business

A person or company that prints books or other materials.

The printer quoted a low price for the job.

💡 Simply: Think of the person or the company that's responsible for taking your design (like a book cover or a poster) and making many copies of it. They're like the magic makers who make the copies.

👶 For kids: A person or a company that makes lots and lots of paper copies of things like books or posters!

More Examples

2

We need to find a reliable printer for our marketing materials.

3

The printer is responsible for the quality of the printed materials.

How It's Used

Publishing

"The printer delivered the books on time."

Commercial production

"The company hired a new printer for their brochures."

Tip:Think of the people who work at the company that produces magazines or books.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

From Middle English *prynter*, from Old French *printour* (literally "one who prints"), from *prin(t)er* ("to print").

The term 'printer' gained prominence with the advent of the printing press in the 15th century.

Memory tip

Think of the machine that gives you hard copies, like the device in the office.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"one who prints"

laser printerinkjet printercolor printernetwork printerprinter driver

Common misspellings

printherpriterprinrer

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written