English Reference
noun

booker

n.
US /ˈbʊkɝ/ book·er UK spelling bookers

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a person whose job is to hire performers or book venues for events.

    an agent or professional responsible for scheduling and hiring talent, such as musicians or speakers, for specific venues or events.

    Simple

    The club booker is looking for a new jazz band to play on Friday nights.

    In context

    The festival booker spent months negotiating with international agencies to secure a diverse lineup for the summer main stage.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the music, comedy, and fashion industries.

    agentpromoterorganiser
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    a very famous and important prize given every year for the best book written in English.

    a prestigious annual literary award conferred for the best original novel written in the English language and published in the United Kingdom.

    Simple

    Winning the Booker can change an author's life and lead to huge sales.

    In context

    The shortlist for the Booker Prize often features a mix of established literary giants and debut novelists from across the Commonwealth.

    Usage

    Usually capitalised as 'the Booker' or 'the Booker Prize'.

    Teacher's tip

    Learners should know that while 'booker' is a job, 'The Booker' almost always refers to the literary award in a cultural context.

    booker prize
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    someone who makes a reservation for a hotel room, a flight, or a table at a restaurant.

    the individual who initiates and records a reservation or commercial transaction for services.

    Simple

    The hotel sent a confirmation email to the lead booker of the group.

    In context

    In the event of a cancellation, the refund is typically issued only to the original booker of the travel package.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Archaic

    an old word for a person who writes books or keeps records by hand.

    a person engaged in writing, scholarly pursuits, or the manual recording of documents.

    Simple

    The ancient booker spent his days copying important texts in the library.

    In context

    Historical records suggest the village booker was the only resident capable of drafting formal petitions to the crown.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is obsolete in modern conversation and is only encountered in historical or genealogical contexts.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated