English Reference
noun

quaker

n.
US /ˈkweɪkɝ/ quak·er UK spelling quakers

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    a member of a Christian group that values peace, simple living, and quiet prayer.

    a member of the Religious Society of Friends, a Christian denomination characterized by pacifism and the rejection of formal creeds.

    Simple

    The local Quaker meeting house is known for its quiet and welcoming atmosphere.

    In context

    Historically, many Quakers were prominent in the abolitionist movement due to their belief in the spiritual equality of all people.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced InformalSlang Computing

    a person who plays the 'Quake' series of fast-paced shooting games.

    a player of the Quake series of first-person shooter video games, often used in the context of competitive gaming history.

    Simple

    The old-school Quaker practiced his movement skills for hours every day.

    In context

    In the late nineties, being a top-tier Quaker required exceptional reflexes and a deep understanding of map physics.

Two weeks later, his family travelled to London as refugees on a Quaker transport by train via Germany and the Netherlands.

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From quake + -er; a name given to members of the Religious Society of Friends, supposedly by the magistrates Gervase Bennet and Nathaniel Barton, when George Fox "bade them tremble at the word of the Lord"; the term was previously applied to certain people who trembled or quaked during religious devotions.

Etymology 2

Quake + -er, but likely inspired by the original noun.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated