chaser: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal for the beverage sense; specialized in technical/aviation contexts.
Quick answer
What does “chaser” mean?
A person or thing that pursues or follows something, often to catch or remove it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that pursues or follows something, often to catch or remove it.
Primarily refers to 1) a weaker alcoholic drink taken after a stronger one, 2) a pilot who pursues an enemy aircraft, 3) a person who pursues something in a metaphorical sense (e.g., success), or 4) a secondary tool or component used to finish a job (e.g., a tool for cutting screw threads).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties share core meanings. The beverage sense ("whisky chaser") is equally common. The metaphorical sense of a person who pursues romantic partners is more strongly associated with American English.
Connotations
In both: 'chaser' as a drink is neutral/informal. As a person, it can be slightly negative (e.g., 'ambulance chaser' for a lawyer, 'celebrity chaser').
Frequency
The beverage sense is the most frequent in everyday conversation in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “chaser” in a Sentence
[drink] + with/and + a [drink] chaserthe [pursuer] acted as a chaser for the [pursued][tool] is used as a thread chaserVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chaser” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb. The base verb is 'chase'.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb. The base verb is 'chase'.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not a standard adjective. Used in compounds: 'chaser aircraft'.
- The chaser plane was deployed.
American English
- Not a standard adjective. Used in compounds: 'chaser vehicle'.
- He had a chaser mentality.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially negative in 'ambulance chaser' (law).
Academic
Rare, except in historical or technical writing (e.g., aviation history).
Everyday
Common in social/drinking contexts ('I'll have a tequila with a beer chaser').
Technical
In engineering: a tool for repairing or finishing screw threads (thread chaser).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chaser”
- Using 'chaser' to mean the first or main drink (it's always the secondary one).
- Confusing 'chaser' (noun) with 'to chase' (verb) in structure, e.g., 'He is a chaser of fame' (correct but less common than 'fame chaser').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but that is its most common informal meaning. A chaser can be any drink (e.g., water, juice) taken after a stronger-tasting one to moderate the flavour.
It is neutral in contexts like 'storm chaser' (a scientist or enthusiast). However, in social contexts (e.g., 'he's a chaser'), it often implies someone who pursues things (like status or partners) excessively or desperately, carrying a slightly negative tone.
A mixer (e.g., tonic, cola) is combined WITH a spirit in the same glass. A chaser is a separate drink consumed AFTER the spirit, typically to wash down the taste.
Not commonly as a standard term. In some informal contexts, a player or team trying to catch up to a leader might be described as 'the chaser,' but it's not an official position like in quiz shows (e.g., 'The Chase').
A person or thing that pursues or follows something, often to catch or remove it.
Chaser is usually informal for the beverage sense; specialized in technical/aviation contexts. in register.
Chaser: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃeɪ.sər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃeɪ.sɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ambulance chaser”
- “drink and a chaser”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DOG CHASING a car. A 'chaser' comes AFTER or FOLLOWS something else, just like a mild drink follows a strong shot.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A PURSUIT / A FINISHING TOOL IS A PURSUER (of the final form).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'chaser' most likely to have a negative connotation?