crammer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, primarily British
Quick answer
What does “crammer” mean?
A person who studies intensively just before an exam.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who studies intensively just before an exam; an intensive, short-term educational institution preparing students for exams.
A book or course designed for rapid, intensive learning of a subject, often for test preparation. Informally, a person who compresses a lot of information into a small space or short time period.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and established in British English. In American English, the verb 'cram' is common, but 'crammer' (for a person or institution) is less frequently used.
Connotations
In the UK, 'crammer' can neutrally refer to a legitimate tutorial college or revision course. In the US, it almost exclusively suggests last-minute, frantic studying.
Frequency
High frequency in UK educational contexts; low frequency in general US English.
Grammar
How to Use “crammer” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a crammer.[Subject] went to a crammer.[Subject] hired a crammer to help with the exams.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crammer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's been cramming all night for his A-levels.
American English
- She crammed for the biology final over the weekend.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- He took a crammer course before his resits.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typically used.
Academic
Used in discussions of study habits, exam preparation, and educational systems.
Everyday
Used informally to describe someone studying frantically before a test.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crammer”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crammer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crammer”
- Using 'crammer' to mean a regular, long-term teacher or professor.
- Using it in overly formal contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily an insult, but it does imply a lack of consistent, long-term study habits. It can be a neutral description of a study method or institution.
Yes, especially in British English. A 'crammer' (or 'crammer school') is an institution that prepares students intensively for specific exams.
A tutor provides general or ongoing instruction. A crammer provides highly focused, intensive, short-term preparation aimed specifically at passing an imminent exam.
No, it is almost exclusively used in educational or informal contexts.
A person who studies intensively just before an exam.
Crammer is usually informal, primarily british in register.
Crammer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkræmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkræmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A typical last-minute crammer.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone CRAMming M&Ms (information) into their head at the last minute – they are a CRAMMER.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEARNING IS INGESTING/COMPRESSING (cramming knowledge into the mind).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'crammer' most accurately used?