gunner
gunner Lexical Profile
gunner Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A member of the armed forces who operates a large gun, cannon, or heavy weapon, especially in an artillery unit or aboard a naval vessel or aircraft.
"The museum exhibit featured historical letters written by a naval gunner during the nineteenth century."
A person who hunts game with a firearm.
"The wildlife preserve restricts access to licensed gunners during the autumn waterfowl season."
American An aggressively ambitious and competitive student, especially in law or medical school, who strives to excel at the expense of peers.
"Nobody wanted to join a study group with the class gunner because he refused to share his lecture notes."
American A player on a football special teams unit whose primary role is to sprint downfield to tackle the kick or punt returner, or a basketball player who shoots the ball with excessive frequency.
"The coach praised the special teams gunner for pinning the opposing returner inside the ten-yard line."
Word Nuance & Usage
In American academic slang—particularly in medical and law schools—"gunner" is a mildly derogatory term for an overly competitive student who seeks to outperform or undermine classmates.
• Rhymes for gunner
Word Origin & Etymology
Attested in Middle English from the late 14th century, formed from "gun" plus the agentive suffix "-er", originally denoting a soldier operating siege artillery.