ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cheater

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈtʃitɝ// UK //tʃˈiːtɐ// cheater Archaic

n. someone who acts in a dishonest way to win a game or get an advantage. You use this for people who break rules in school, sports, or relationships.

n. a person who acts dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game, examination, or relationship.


SIMPLE

The teacher caught the cheater using a phone during the exam.

CONTEXTUAL

He was labeled a cheater after the referee discovered he had hidden a small camera to see his opponent's cards.

COMPLEX

While some view the use of performance-enhancing drugs as a personal choice, the sporting community generally regards any athlete who bypasses regulations as a cheater who undermines the integrity of the competition.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From cheat + -er. The sense referring to welding hood lenses was inspired by cheaters (plural) as a pair of reading glasses.

Etymology 2

From Middle English chetour, a variant of eschetour, from Old French eschetour, escheteur, equivalent to escheat + -er.

Usage

Commonly used in both academic contexts and informal discussions about romantic infidelity.

© 2026 English Reference