crowd puller: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Journalism, Marketing
Quick answer
What does “crowd puller” mean?
A person, event, or thing that attracts a large number of people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, event, or thing that attracts a large number of people.
Something with strong appeal or magnetism that draws significant public attention or attendance; often used in entertainment, marketing, or public relations contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties with no significant difference in form. Compound nouns are slightly more common in British English, but 'crowd-puller' (with hyphen) is an accepted alternative in both.
Connotations
Positive connotation of success and appeal in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English media, but common in American English in contexts like sports, concerts, and fairs.
Grammar
How to Use “crowd puller” in a Sentence
[be] a crowd puller[serve as] a crowd puller[prove to be] a crowd puller[become] a crowd pullerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crowd puller” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The crowd-pulling power of the star was undeniable.
- They needed a more crowd-pulling headline act.
American English
- The crowd-pulling ability of the new exhibit was impressive.
- They analyzed the festival's crowd-pulling potential.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe a product, promotion, or store that significantly increases customer footfall.
Academic
Rare; may appear in media studies or sociology papers discussing popular culture.
Everyday
Used to describe popular concerts, festivals, film stars, or public events.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crowd puller”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crowd puller”
- Using as a verb (e.g., 'It crowds pull well' – incorrect). Confusing with 'crowd-pleaser' (which focuses on pleasing, not just attracting).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words ('crowd puller'). The hyphenated form 'crowd-puller' is also acceptable, especially when used attributively (e.g., 'crowd-puller appeal').
A 'crowd puller' attracts a large audience. A 'crowd pleaser' delights or entertains an audience that is already present. Something can be both.
Yes, it commonly refers to a performer, celebrity, or speaker known for attracting large audiences (e.g., 'She's the band's main crowd puller').
It is informal and is most at home in journalism, advertising, and everyday conversation. It would be replaced by more formal terms like 'major attraction' or 'principal draw' in official reports.
A person, event, or thing that attracts a large number of people.
Crowd puller: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkraʊd ˌpʊlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkraʊd ˌpʊlər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pack them in”
- “draw a crowd”
- “pull in the punters (UK)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a magnet PULLING a CROWD of metal filings towards it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTRACTIVE ENTITIES ARE MAGNETS (The festival was a magnet for young people).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'crowd puller' be LEAST appropriate?