Word
bouncer
Phoneticsbounc·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbaʊnsɝ/
UK/bˈaʊnsɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person whose job is to stand at the door of a club or bar. They decide who can enter and make sure people follow the rules inside.
n. A person employed at a licensed premises to control admission and maintain order. The formal job title is typically 'security guard' or 'door supervisor'.
Examples
“The bouncer checked my ID before letting me into the club.”
“After the argument started near the bar, the bouncer quickly stepped in and asked the men to leave.”
“While the venue's bouncer appeared intimidating due to his size, he was known for his professional manner and ability to de-escalate tense situations without using force.”
Examples
simple
“The bouncer checked my ID before letting me into the club.”
contextual
“After the argument started near the bar, the bouncer quickly stepped in and asked the men to leave.”
complex
“While the venue's bouncer appeared intimidating due to his size, he was known for his professional manner and ability to de-escalate tense situations without using force.”
Usage
Informal register; 'door supervisor' is the preferred term in official or legal contexts.
Etymology
From bounce + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/bouncer