# hater

/ˈheɪtɝ/ (US) · /hˈeɪtɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a person who hates

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- He has always been a hater of modern art and prefers traditional paintings.
- The politician remained a vocal hater of the new tax policy, arguing that it would stifle local business growth.

### 2. a jealous critic

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

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

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

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

## Examples

- Don't listen to him; he is just a hater.
- She posted a video telling her haters that their negative comments only make her work harder.
- 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.

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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.