Word
jailer
Phoneticsjail·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒeɪɫɝ/
UK/dʒˈeɪlɐ/
UK spelling · gaoler
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person whose job is to guard prisoners in a jail or prison. You see this word mostly in stories about prison life.
n. a person employed to guard prisoners in a jail or prison, responsible for custody, security, and daily supervision.
Examples
“The jailer locks the cell doors every night.”
“The new jailer checks every cell twice during the night shift to make sure all prisoners are safe.”
“The weary jailer, who had supervised the same corridor for twenty years, knew each prisoner's habits better than his own family.”
Examples
simple
“The jailer locks the cell doors every night.”
contextual
“The new jailer checks every cell twice during the night shift to make sure all prisoners are safe.”
complex
“The weary jailer, who had supervised the same corridor for twenty years, knew each prisoner's habits better than his own family.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “jailer” in context.
Verb
01. bribe jailer
“They tried to bribe the jailer with gold coins.”
verb + noun
02. defy jailer
“No prisoner dared to defy the jailer openly.”
verb + noun
03. distract jailer
“One prisoner tried to distract the jailer at the gate.”
verb + noun
04. jailer escorts
“The jailer escorts the prisoners to the courtyard daily.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. brutal jailer
“The brutal jailer beat anyone who tried to escape.”
adj + noun
06. corrupt jailer
“The corrupt jailer took money to smuggle in letters.”
adj + noun
07. cruel jailer
“The cruel jailer refused to give the prisoners extra food.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. custody of jailer
“The thief was left in the custody of the jailer overnight.”
noun + prep + noun
09. at the jailer's mercy
“Locked inside, the prisoners were at the jailer's mercy.”
10. beg the jailer for mercy
“He fell to his knees to beg the jailer for mercy.”
11. bribe the jailer
“The thief's family tried to bribe the jailer to free him.”
12. distract the jailer
“Make some noise to distract the jailer while I run.”
Real-World Examples
“It’s about a low-level jailer, crushed by life, who returns from the day job and proceeds to incarcerate his own family.” “Because the jailers considered her too young to be of any concern, Wooden was able to bring food to the condemned spy.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English gayoler, gayler, jayler, from Old French jaiolier, gaiolier, from jaiole. By surface analysis, jail + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- 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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