comer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, slightly informal; common in journalism and business contexts.
Quick answer
What does “comer” mean?
A person who is arriving somewhere, often with an implication of potential or participation, especially in newer or competitive contexts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is arriving somewhere, often with an implication of potential or participation, especially in newer or competitive contexts.
Someone who joins or takes part in something, like a competition, market, or trend. Can denote a person or entity with promising prospects or a recent arrival on a scene.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Slightly more common in US business/sports journalism.
Connotations
Neutral in both; implies assessment or comparison.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but understood. Most common in fixed phrases like 'newcomer' or 'latecomer' (often spelled as one word).
Grammar
How to Use “comer” in a Sentence
[adjective] + comer[possessive] + comercomer + in/into + [field/competition]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “comer” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The late comer missed the keynote speech.
- She was the fastest comer in the qualifying heat.
- The company is a recent comer to the electric vehicle market.
American English
- The newcomer was the strongest comer in the startup pitch.
- He defeated all comers in the chess tournament.
- As a late comer to social media, the brand had to adapt quickly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to new companies or competitors entering a market ('a strong comer in the fintech sector').
Academic
Rare; used in sociology to discuss migration or group integration.
Everyday
Mostly in 'newcomer' or 'latecomer'; standalone use is rare.
Technical
In sports, refers to competitors in a race or tournament.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “comer”
- Using as a verb (*'I comer to the party').
- Misspelling 'latecomer' as two words.
- Overusing the standalone form; 'newcomer' is far more frequent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'comer' is solely a noun in modern English. The verb is 'to come'.
'Newcomer' specifically means someone new. 'Comer' is broader, meaning anyone who comes or arrives, often in a competitive context, and is frequently modified (e.g., 'late comer', 'fastest comer').
It is standardly written as one word: 'latecomer'.
Rarely. It is almost exclusively used for people or entities (like companies) metaphorically treated as participants.
A person who is arriving somewhere, often with an implication of potential or participation, especially in newer or competitive contexts.
Comer is usually neutral, slightly informal; common in journalism and business contexts. in register.
Comer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Johnny-come-lately (derogatory for a recent comer)”
- “be a comer (to show promise)”
- “beat all comers (defeat everyone who arrives to compete)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'COME' + '-er' (like 'teacher' or 'runner') = a person who comes.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / COMPETITION IS A RACE (A 'comer' is someone on that path, possibly gaining).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'comer' CORRECTLY?