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Definition of heckler

heckler

/ˈhɛk.lər/
heck · ler
Plural:hecklers
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heckler Lexical Profile

heckler Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who interrupts a performer, public speaker, or participant with derisive, aggressive, or distracting comments or abuse.

Example

"The comedian skillfully diffused the tension in the room by making a witty remark to the persistent heckler in the front row."

2

A worker who combs and dresses flax or hemp fibers using a hackle (historical).

Example

"In nineteenth-century textile mills, the heckler prepared raw flax fibers for spinning by drawing them through rows of iron teeth."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

hebe
heck
heckle
heckler
heckuva
hectare
hectic

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the verb 'heckle', originally a Northern English and Scottish dialect variant of 'hackle', meaning to dress or comb flax or hemp fibers with a spiked tool; the figurative sense of teasing, catechizing, or harassing a public speaker emerged in the 19th century.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Heckler. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/heckler
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