putty

UK: /ˈpʌti/ US: /ˈpʌti/ ,(put′ē)

Inflections of 'putty' (n): npl: putties

Inflections of 'putty' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

putties

v 3rd person singular

puttying

v pres p

puttied

v past

puttied

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

put•ty¹ /ˈpʌti/   n., pl. -ties, v., -tied, -ty•ing. 
n. [uncountable]

1. Building a compound, usually a paste made partly of linseed oil, used to hold windowpanes in place, patch woodwork defects, seal the joints of tubes or pipes, etc.
2. a person or thing easily molded or influenced:
   He was putty in her hands.

v. [~ + object]

3. Building to cover with putty;
   use putty on.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

put•ty¹  (put′ē), n., pl. -ties, v., -tied, -ty•ing. 
n. 

1. Building a compound of whiting and linseed oil, of a doughlike consistency when fresh, used to secure windowpanes, patch woodwork defects, etc.
2. Building any of various other compounds used for similar purposes.
3. Building any of various substances for sealing the joints of tubes or pipes, composed of linseed oil with red lead, white lead, iron oxide, etc.
4. Building a creamy mixture of lime and water, partially dried and mixed with sand and plaster of Paris to make a finish plaster coat.
5. Building See putty powder. 
6. any person or thing easily molded, influenced, etc.:
   We were putty in his hands.
7. light brownish- or yellowish-gray.
8. British Terms up to putty, [Australian Slang.] worthless or useless.

v.t. 

9. Building to secure, cover, etc., with putty.

• French potée, literally, (something) potted. See pot¹, -ee
• 1625–35

put•ty²  (put′ē), n., pl. -ties. 

1. Clothing, Military puttee.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

putty / ˈpʌtɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. a stiff paste made of whiting and linseed oil that is used to fix glass panes into frames and to fill cracks or holes in woodwork, etc
2. any substance with a similar consistency, function, or appearance
3. a mixture of lime and water with sand or plaster of Paris used on plaster as a finishing coat
4. (as modifier): a putty knife
5. a person who is easily influenced or persuaded: he's putty in her hands
6. a colour varying from a greyish-yellow to a greyish-brown or brownish-grey
7. (as adjective)

verb ( -ties, -tying, -tied)

1. (transitive) to fix, fill, or coat with putty

Etymology: 17th Century: from French potée a potful

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

put•tee  (pu tē′, pŏŏ-, put′ē), n. 

1. Clothing, Military a long strip of cloth wound spirally round the leg from ankle to knee, worn esp. formerly as part of a soldier's uniform.
2. Clothing a gaiter or legging of leather or other material, as worn by soldiers, riders, etc.

Also, putty, puttie. 

• Hindi paṭṭī bandage; akin to Sanskrit paṭṭa strip of cloth, bandage
• 1870–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

puttee, putty / ˈpʌtɪ/ noun ( -tees, -ties)

1. (usually plural) a strip of cloth worn wound around the legs from the ankle to the knee, esp as part of a military uniform in World War I

Etymology: 19th Century: from Hindi pattī, from Sanskrit pattikā, from patta cloth