ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hitter

n.
US //ˈhɪtɝ// UK //hˈɪtɐ// hit·ter
  1. 1 sports player (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    a player in sports like baseball who tries to hit the ball with a bat.

    a player, particularly in baseball or softball, whose role is to bat against the pitcher.

    Example

    The team's best hitter managed to get a home run in the final inning.

    Example

    The manager decided to substitute a pinch hitter in the ninth inning, hoping for a powerful drive to deep center field.
  2. 2 a person who strikes (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    someone who hits another person or an object.

    an agent that delivers a physical blow or strike.

    Example

    He was known as a heavy hitter in the boxing ring.

    Example

    The investigation revealed that the damage was caused by a heavy hitter, likely using a blunt instrument to bypass the security door.
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  1. 3 a professional killer (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang

    a person who is paid to kill someone.

    a professional assassin or hitman hired to commit murder.

    Example

    The police believed the crime was the work of a professional hitter from out of town.

    Example

    The detective suspected that a high-level hitter had been contracted to eliminate the witness before the trial could begin.

    Usage

    Often used in the context of organized crime or thriller fiction.
  2. 4 a successful person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a person who is very successful or powerful in their job.

    an influential or highly successful person, especially in business or politics; often used in the phrase 'heavy hitter'.

    Example

    She is a heavy hitter in the tech industry and runs three major companies.

    Example

    The conference attracted several heavy hitters from the banking sector, all eager to discuss the implications of the new fiscal policy.
    • underling
Origin

From hit + -er (agent noun suffix) or -er (measurement suffix).

Idioms1 entry

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