chucker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare (except in specific contexts like cricket).Informal, Slang, Sporting
Quick answer
What does “chucker” mean?
A person or device that throws or discards something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or device that throws or discards something.
Often used in cricket to describe a bowler who illegally throws the ball (a 'chucker'). In slang, can refer to one who chucks out (ejects) or chucks in (gives up).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Much more common in UK/Australian/NZ English due to cricket usage. In US English, it's rare and would likely only be understood in the general sense of 'one who throws'.
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with cricket controversy and illegality. In general slang, neutral (e.g., 'a chucker-out' for a bouncer). US: Very weak or no specific connotation.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but significantly higher in cricket-playing nations.
Grammar
How to Use “chucker” in a Sentence
[be + labeled/accused/called] + a chucker[bowler] + is a chuckerVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in sports science or cricket history.
Everyday
Rare; possible in contexts like 'He's a chucker' meaning he throws things away carelessly.
Technical
Specific term in cricket law and analysis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chucker”
- Using 'chucker' to mean a casual thrower in neutral contexts (it's marked).
- Confusing 'chucker' with 'chuck' (the cut of meat).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal or technical (within cricket). It is not used in formal writing outside of sports reporting.
Almost never. It is usually neutral (a person who throws) or negative (an illegal bowler, someone who discards things carelessly).
A 'bowler' delivers the ball with a straight arm, as per the laws. A 'chucker' illegally throws the ball by straightening a bent arm during delivery.
Extremely rarely. An American might use 'chucker' to mean someone who throws things out, but the strong cricket-specific meaning is largely absent.
A person or device that throws or discards something.
Chucker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃʌkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃʌkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chucker-out (old-fashioned for bouncer/security)”
- “to be called for chucking (cricket)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cricket bowler who CHUCKs the ball instead of bowling it – he's a CHUCKER.
Conceptual Metaphor
ILLEGALITY IS IMPROPER THROWING (cricket).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'chucker' MOST specifically and commonly used?