blower: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal for 'telephone' meaning; technical/neutral for device meaning.
Quick answer
What does “blower” mean?
A device that produces a current of air, typically for moving air, clearing debris, or providing ventilation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A device that produces a current of air, typically for moving air, clearing debris, or providing ventilation.
Informally, a telephone. Also refers to a person who blows glass or a musical instrument, or slang for a cocaine user. In car engines, a supercharger.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Blower' as slang for telephone is chiefly British. In AmE, 'blower' can refer to a supercharger in car culture or a snowblower/leaf blower.
Connotations
In BrE, 'on the blower' has a slightly old-fashioned, working-class or police/criminal slang feel. In AmE, 'blower' is more purely technical (device) or automotive.
Frequency
More frequent in AmE for mechanical devices (e.g., leaf blower). The 'telephone' sense is low-frequency and declining in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “blower” in a Sentence
turn on/off the [blower]use a [blower] to VERBbe on the [blower] (to someone)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in HVAC sales or automotive parts.
Academic
Very rare, except in technical engineering papers about fluid dynamics.
Everyday
Common for garden/yard tools (leaf/snow blower). Dated for telephone.
Technical
Standard in HVAC, automotive engineering, and tool manufacturing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blower”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blower”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blower”
- Using 'blower' to mean 'hair dryer' (it's a component, not the common term). Using the telephone sense in AmE or formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's dated British informal slang. It's rarely used by younger generations and sounds old-fashioned.
A blower typically generates a higher-pressure, more directed stream of air, often for moving specific materials (leaves, snow) or industrial ventilation. A fan moves air for general circulation or cooling.
No, 'blower' is exclusively a noun. The related verb is 'to blow'.
No, the common term is 'hair dryer'. A blower might be a component inside it, but it's not the device's name.
A device that produces a current of air, typically for moving air, clearing debris, or providing ventilation.
Blower is usually informal for 'telephone' meaning; technical/neutral for device meaning. in register.
Blower: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbləʊ.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbloʊ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the blower (BrE, informal: on the phone)”
- “have a blower (BrE, informal: make a phone call)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
It BLOWS air fastER. Think: 'The gardener blew leaves with his blower.'
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOURCE OF WIND (for device). A CONDUIT FOR VOICE/INFORMATION (for telephone slang).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'blower' most likely to mean 'telephone'?