flanker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Technical (Sports/Military), Formal/Informal depending on context.
Quick answer
What does “flanker” mean?
A person or thing positioned at the side of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing positioned at the side of something; particularly a player in rugby, American football, or military tactics positioned on the wing or at the side of a formation.
To move or be positioned at the side of something; to attack or pass around the side of an opponent; metaphorically, to approach a situation from an indirect angle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK usage dominated by rugby union/league ('openside flanker', 'blindside flanker'). US usage dominated by American football ('outside linebacker' is a similar role, but 'flanker' can refer to a wide receiver position, though 'wide receiver' is more common). Military usage is shared.
Connotations
UK: Strong association with rugby—connotes physicality, agility, ball-winning. US: For general audiences, less immediately recognizable than 'linebacker' or 'receiver'; may sound slightly old-fashioned or specifically technical.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK due to prominence of rugby terminology in general sports media. In US, limited to dedicated American football analysis or historical military contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “flanker” in a Sentence
[team] + flanker + [player name][military unit] + flanker + [position]to flanker + [an opponent/position] (verb)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flanker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The winger managed to flanker the full-back and score in the corner.
- Our strategy is to flanker their main defence with swift passes to the wings.
American English
- The receiver flankered the cornerback with a sharp out route.
- The marketing team decided to flanker the leading brand by targeting rural areas.
adverb
British English
- No adverb form.
American English
- No adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form in use. 'Flanking' is used (e.g., flanking manoeuvre).
American English
- No standard adjective form in use. 'Flanking' is used (e.g., flanking position).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'Their new product is a flanker brand, designed to attack the competitor's market share from a niche angle.'
Academic
Used in historical/military studies: 'The Roman legion used velites as flankers to harass the enemy's sides.'
Everyday
Limited. Most likely in sports discussion: 'Jones is the best flanker in the league this season.'
Technical
Precise in sports tactics and military science: 'The 4-3 defense relies on the weak-side flanker to contain the run.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flanker”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flanker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flanker”
- Using 'flanker' as a general term for any athlete ('He's a football flanker' – ambiguous in US). Confusing 'flanker' (noun) with 'to flank' (verb). Misspelling as 'flankeur' (French influence).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialised term. Its everyday use is limited unless discussing rugby, American football, or military history.
Yes, but it is less common than the noun. It means to move around or attack the side of something (e.g., 'to flanker the defense'). The simpler verb 'to flank' is more frequent.
A flanker is a forward, involved in physical contest for the ball at breakdowns and scrums. A winger is a back, positioned on the edge of the backline, primarily for scoring tries. Their roles and positions on the field are very different.
A flanker brand is a new product launched by a company to compete in a market segment adjacent to its core product, often to protect its market share from competitors without cannibalising the main brand's sales.
A person or thing positioned at the side of something.
Flanker is usually technical (sports/military), formal/informal depending on context. in register.
Flanker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflæŋkə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflæŋkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms specific to 'flanker'. The related verb 'to flank' gives us 'flanked by' (e.g., 'The CEO was flanked by security').”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FLAN (a cake) with a KERb (curb) stuck to its SIDE. A 'flanker' is always on the SIDE.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPETITION IS WAR / SPORTS ARE WAR -> A 'flanker' is a warrior/soldier attacking from the side-lines.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'flanker' LEAST likely to be used?