English Reference
noun

hater

n.
US /ˈheɪtɝ/ UK /hˈeɪtɐ/ hater UK spelling haters

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    someone who feels a very strong dislike for a specific person, group, or thing.

    a person who experiences or expresses intense hostility or aversion toward a particular entity.

    Simple

    He has always been a hater of modern art and prefers traditional paintings.

    In context

    The politician remained a vocal hater of the new tax policy, arguing that it would stifle local business growth.

    enemydetractor
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate InformalSlang

    a person who says negative things about someone else's success, usually because they are jealous.

    a person who expresses unfounded or spiteful criticism, typically motivated by envy of another's achievements or lifestyle.

    Simple

    Ignore the haters on social media and keep doing what you love.

    In context

    Despite the artist's global success, online haters continued to dismiss her talent as a mere product of clever marketing.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural to refer to a collective group of anonymous online critics.

    cyniccritic

From Middle English hatere, equivalent to hate + -er. Compare Old English hetend, hettend (“enemy”, literally “hater”). Cognate with Dutch hater (“hater”), German Hasser, Hässer (“hater”), Danish hader (“hater”), Swedish hatare (“hater”), Icelandic hatari (“hater”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English hatere
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated