corker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/InformalInformal, colloquial. Often playful or dated.
Quick answer
What does “corker” mean?
An excellent, remarkable, or surprising person or thing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An excellent, remarkable, or surprising person or thing; something outstanding or exceptional.
Originating from cricket slang (a 'corking' good shot), now broadly used to denote something or someone impressively good or striking. In informal American usage, can also mean a startling piece of news or a surprising conclusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and slightly less dated in UK/Irish usage than in US. In US, 'corker' may slightly more often refer to a surprising fact or story ('That's a real corker!').
Connotations
UK: Hearty, appreciative, sometimes whimsical. US: More emphasis on surprise or being a 'knockout'.
Frequency
Infrequent in formal contexts in both regions. Appears more in spoken narratives or characterful writing.
Grammar
How to Use “corker” in a Sentence
[be] + a + (adj) + corker[have] + a + corker + of + a + NOUNVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A (not standard)
American English
- N/A (not standard)
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (not standard; 'corking' is the adjective)
American English
- N/A (not standard; 'corking' is the adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in informal praise: 'The Q4 results were a real corker.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Informal praise for things/events: 'That goal was a corker!'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corker”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with the verb 'to cork'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, informally. E.g., 'She's a real corker' means she's a remarkable or excellent person.
Overwhelmingly positive, expressing admiration. It can express surprise, which might be due to something negative, but the word itself highlights the remarkable nature.
Its peak usage was in the late 19th/early 20th century, originating from slang (like 'corking'). It persists but carries a nostalgic or characterful tone.
They are very close synonyms. 'Corker' can feel slightly more British and perhaps more emphatic or surprising. 'Cracker' is more common and slightly less dated.
An excellent, remarkable, or surprising person or thing.
Corker is usually informal, colloquial. often playful or dated. in register.
Corker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔː.kər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːr.kɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a corker of a (day/story/problem)”
- “to come up with a corker”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CORK popping dramatically from a bottle of champagne to celebrate something EXCELLENT - a CORKer!
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS PHYSICAL IMPACT (a 'corker' stuns or impresses like a blow).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'corker' LEAST likely to be used?