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Definition of elmer
elmer
/ˈɛlmər/
El · mer
Plural:elmers
•Past Simple:elmered
•Past Participle:elmered
•Present Participle:elmering
elmer Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
Syllables
2
• noun
1
An experienced amateur radio operator who provides personal guidance, technical advice, and mentorship to prospective or newly licensed operators.
Example
"A local elmer helped her set up her first dipole antenna and prepare for the technician licensing exam."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for elmer Antonyms
View all antonyms for elmer• verb
1
To mentor, coach, or assist a newcomer in the field of amateur radio.
Example
"Veteran club members regularly elmer young enthusiasts who want to learn Morse code and build their own transceivers."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for elmer• Rhymes for elmer
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in a 1971 QST magazine column by Rod Newkirk (W9BRD) in honor of Elmer P. Frohardt Jr. (W9DY), a veteran radio operator known for patiently mentoring newcomers.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Elmer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/elmer