# cheater

/ˈtʃitɝ/ (US) · /tʃˈiːtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cheater
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. dishonest person

noun · CEFR B1

someone who breaks the rules to win a game or pass a test.

For teachers: a person who violates rules or conventions to gain an unfair advantage in a competitive or academic setting.

- The teacher caught the cheater using a hidden phone during the final exam.
- The casino security team identified the cheater through surveillance footage, noting how he manipulated the cards during the high-stakes poker game.

### 2. unfaithful partner

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

someone who is not faithful to their husband, wife, or partner.

For teachers: a person who is unfaithful to a romantic partner by engaging in a secret relationship with someone else.

- She left him after she found out he was a serial cheater.
- The protagonist in the novel is portrayed as a remorseful cheater who struggles to rebuild trust with his spouse after his affair is revealed.

### 3. reading glasses

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

a casual name for simple glasses that help you read small text.

For teachers: an informal term for non-prescription magnifying glasses used for reading.

- I forgot my cheaters at home, so I can't read the menu.
- He squinted at the fine print for a moment before reaching into his pocket for his cheaters.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'cheaters'.

## Examples

- The teacher caught the cheater using a phone during the exam.
- He was labeled a cheater after the referee discovered he had hidden a small camera to see his opponent's cards.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.