printer
/ˈprɪn.tə/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
A printer is a machine that makes paper copies of text or pictures from a computer. It can print in black and white or in colour.
- The printer is out of paper.
- I printed the report on the office printer.
- This printer makes very sharp colour photos.
- 2.
A printer is a person or company that prints books, newspapers, or other written material.
- The printer delivered the new book today.
- She works for a local printer.
- The newspaper uses a large commercial printer.
Adinary Nuance
Printer is the device or the person who prints. It is different from print, which is the action, and from copier, which mainly makes copies. In everyday speech, printer usually means the machine on your desk or in your office.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- máy in
- Spanish
- impresora
- Chinese
- 打印机
- Japanese
- プリンター
- Korean
- 프린터
Etymology
Printer comes from the verb print, which entered English from Old French in the Middle Ages. The noun for a machine became common in the 20th century, after computer printing began.
Common phrases
laser printerinkjet printeroffice printerprinter driver
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between printer and print?
- Print is the action. A printer is the machine or person that does the printing.
- Is printer a countable noun?
- Yes. You can say one printer, two printers.
- Can printer mean a person?
- Yes. It can mean a person or company that prints books or papers.
- Is printer used in business writing?
- Yes. It is very common in business and office writing.