# hitter

/ˈhɪtɝ/ (US) · /hˈɪtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hitter
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sports player

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The team's best hitter managed to get a home run in the final inning.
- The manager decided to substitute a pinch hitter in the ninth inning, hoping for a powerful drive to deep center field.

### 2. a person who strikes

noun · CEFR B2

someone who hits another person or an object.

For teachers: an agent that delivers a physical blow or strike.

- He was known as a heavy hitter in the boxing ring.
- The investigation revealed that the damage was caused by a heavy hitter, likely using a blunt instrument to bypass the security door.

### 3. a professional killer

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

a person who is paid to kill someone.

For teachers: a professional assassin or hitman hired to commit murder.

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

### 4. a successful person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

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

- She is a heavy hitter in the tech industry and runs three major companies.
- The conference attracted several heavy hitters from the banking sector, all eager to discuss the implications of the new fiscal policy.

## Examples

- That new song is a real hitter.
- The team signed a heavy hitter from the tech industry to lead their new marketing department.
- While the album features several experimental tracks, the lead single is the undeniable hitter that will likely dominate the charts for the remainder of the summer.

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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.