ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hater

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈheɪtɝ// UK //hˈeɪtɐ// hater Slang Vulgar

n. someone who dislikes or criticizes a person or thing, often because they are jealous. You use this for people who find something negative to say even when things are going well.

n. a person who habitually expresses negative opinions or criticism, often motivated by envy or a desire to diminish another's success. Frequently used in digital and social media contexts to dismiss detractors.


SIMPLE

Don't listen to him; he is just a hater.

CONTEXTUAL

She posted a video telling her haters that their negative comments only make her work harder.

COMPLEX

In the era of viral fame, public figures often categorize all legitimate criticism as the noise of a hater to avoid engaging with valid concerns about their conduct.

Origin

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”).

Usage

Commonly used in the plural form; often appears in the phrase 'haters gonna hate'.

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