hustler
hustler Lexical Profile
hustler Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An enterprising, ambitious person who works aggressively and energetically to achieve success or make money.
"As a dedicated hustler, she built her small catering business into a regional brand within three years."
A person who obtains money by deceit, illicit schemes, or misrepresenting their skill in a game such as pool or cards.
"The veteran pool player was a notorious hustler who pretended to be a novice until high stakes were placed on the table."
A person who engages in sex work, especially one who solicits clients on the street.
"The documentary examined the daily struggles and resilience of street hustlers in the 1970s."
Word Nuance & Usage
Depending on context, "hustler" can carry either a strongly positive connotation (an ambitious, hard-working entrepreneur) or a pejorative one (a con artist or swindler).
• Rhymes for hustler
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the verb "hustle," which entered English in the late 17th century from the Dutch "hutselen," meaning to shake or toss about, originally in reference to shaking coins in a cap for gambling.