shooter
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a person who shoots a gun or a bow and arrow.
an individual who discharges a firearm or other projectile weapon, such as an archer or marksman.
Simple“The police were looking for a lone shooter who had been seen near the park.”
In context“The Olympic shooter maintained a steady breath as she aligned her sights with the distant target, demonstrating remarkable focus under pressure.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
a video game where the main goal is to shoot enemies.
a subgenre of action video games where the gameplay is primarily focused on the use of firearms or other long-range weapons.
Simple“He spent the whole weekend playing a first-person shooter with his friends online.”
In context“Modern tactical shooters often prioritise realistic ballistics and team coordination over the fast-paced, arcade-style mechanics of earlier titles.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a small alcoholic drink, often a mix of different spirits, served in a shot glass.
a small serving of spirits or a mixed alcoholic beverage intended to be consumed in a single swallow.
Simple“The bartender prepared a round of shooters for the birthday party.”
In context“The menu featured a variety of colourful shooters, ranging from sweet fruit-based mixtures to potent combinations of tequila and spicy liqueurs.”
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
a person who takes professional photos or videos.
a professional photographer or cinematographer, especially one working in a fast-paced or journalistic environment.
Simple“The magazine hired a local shooter to cover the music festival.”
In context“As a veteran shooter for the news agency, she had developed an instinct for being in the right place before the action even started.”
Synonyms - 05 C2 Proficiency
a very loyal friend or fan who will always defend you.
a loyal associate or advocate prepared to defend a person's interests, sometimes by aggressive means.
Simple“He is a real shooter for his team and always speaks up for them.”
In context“In the competitive world of corporate politics, having a few dedicated shooters in your inner circle can be the difference between success and a forced resignation.”
“I’ve lost my child, as well as my parents.” The shooter used his grandfather’s gun to kill his grandparents before heading to the school.”
“When was the last time you played an arcadey on-rails space shooter?”
From Middle English schoter, schuter, schotter, scheter, schetare, scheotere, from Old English sċēotere (“shooter”), equivalent to shoot + -er. Compare Dutch schieter, schutter (“shooter”), German Schießer (“shooter”), Swedish skjutare, West Frisian sjitter (“shooter”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.