Word
heckler
Phoneticsheck·ler, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɛkɫɝ/
UK/hˈɛklɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who shouts loud, rude or joking comments to interrupt a speaker or performer. You find them at comedy shows, talks or political meetings.
n. a person who interrupts a public speaker or performer with loud, critical or mocking remarks. Typically encountered at live performances, debates and political meetings.
Examples
“A heckler shouts during the comedian's show.”
“A heckler keeps interrupting the mayor's speech, so security asks him to leave the hall.”
“Undeterred by the heckler in the third row, the lecturer pauses, answers the jibe with calm humour, and regains the audience's attention.”
Examples
simple
“A heckler shouts during the comedian's show.”
contextual
“A heckler keeps interrupting the mayor's speech, so security asks him to leave the hall.”
complex
“Undeterred by the heckler in the third row, the lecturer pauses, answers the jibe with calm humour, and regains the audience's attention.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “heckler” in context.
Verb
01. eject heckler
“Police ejected the heckler after repeated interruptions.”
verb + noun
02. heckler disrupts
“A heckler disrupted the lecture for nearly ten minutes.”
noun + verb
03. heckler interrupts
“A heckler interrupted the debate with shouts about taxes.”
noun + verb
04. heckler shouts
“A heckler shouted insults while the band was playing.”
noun + verb
05. ignore heckler
“The best strategy is to ignore the heckler and continue talking.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. drunk heckler
“Security removed a drunk heckler from the comedy club.”
adj + noun
07. hostile heckler
“The speaker stayed calm despite a hostile heckler in the front row.”
adj + noun
08. lone heckler
“A lone heckler tried to disrupt the press conference.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. interruption by heckler
“An interruption by a heckler paused the live broadcast.”
noun + prep + noun
10. deal with a heckler
“Good comedians know how to deal with a heckler calmly.”
11. drowned out by a heckler
“His final point was drowned out by a heckler at the back.”
12. handle a drunk heckler
“The host handled a drunk heckler with humour and patience.”
Real-World Examples
“The White House has defended US President Donald Trump after he aimed an offensive gesture at a heckler during his appearance at the Ford factory in Detroit on Tuesday.” “Hanna would often wade into the audience to remove hecklers and gropers.” “A speech by President Barack Obama aimed at putting pressure on the Congress to pass immigration reform was interrupted on Monday by a heckler unhappy with the deportation of undocumented people in the United States.” “A heckler is surrounded by Reform supporters during Nigel Farage’s keynote speech on Friday.” Etymology
From heckle + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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