guzzler: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “guzzler” mean?
A person or thing that consumes something (typically food or fuel) greedily, voraciously, or in large quantities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that consumes something (typically food or fuel) greedily, voraciously, or in large quantities.
Can refer to a vehicle, machine, or appliance with very high fuel or energy consumption. Also used humorously for a person who consumes media or other resources rapidly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK uses 'petrol guzzler'; US uses 'gas guzzler'. The British term 'booze guzzler' is slightly more common than the American counterpart 'booze hound' or 'lush'.
Connotations
Equally negative in both dialects regarding consumption.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English, likely due to more common cultural discussion of vehicle fuel efficiency ('gas guzzler' tax).
Grammar
How to Use “guzzler” in a Sentence
[modifier] + guzzlerguzzler + of + [resource]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “guzzler” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He tends to guzzle his tea when he's in a hurry.
- The old boiler guzzles heating oil.
American English
- The SUV guzzles gas on city streets.
- Kids will guzzle that sugary soda in minutes.
adverb
British English
- He drank guzzlingly from the bottle.
- Not applicable - extremely rare.
American English
- Not applicable - extremely rare.
- Not applicable - extremely rare.
adjective
British English
- This is a guzzling monster of a machine.
- His guzzling habits at the pub are legendary.
American English
- That guzzling appliance doubled our electric bill.
- She has a guzzling approach to binge-watching series.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in discussions of product efficiency, operational costs, or energy policy (e.g., 'replacing the factory's energy guzzlers').
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in environmental or economic studies in an informal register.
Everyday
Common in discussions about cars, utility bills, or someone's drinking/eating habits.
Technical
Not a technical term, but used descriptively in automotive and energy sectors.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guzzler”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “guzzler”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guzzler”
- Using 'guzzler' in formal writing.
- Confusing it with 'gurgler' (a drain).
- Using without a clear modifier (e.g., 'That car is a guzzler' is fine, but 'He is a guzzler' is ambiguous without context).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while 'gas/petrol guzzler' is the most common collocation, it can describe any person or thing that consumes a resource greedily (e.g., 'an energy guzzler', 'a data guzzler', 'a booze guzzler').
'Consumer' is neutral. 'Guzzler' is informal and carries a strong negative judgement of wastefulness, excess, and inefficiency.
Almost never. It inherently criticises the level of consumption. In rare, ironic humour it might be used affectionately (e.g., 'My old guzzler of a car finally died'), but the core meaning remains negative.
It is primarily a noun (an agent noun). The related verb is 'guzzle', and the adjective 'guzzling' can be used attributively (e.g., 'a guzzling beast').
A person or thing that consumes something (typically food or fuel) greedily, voraciously, or in large quantities.
Guzzler is usually informal in register.
Guzzler: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌz.lər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌz.lɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gas/petrol guzzler”
- “guzzler tax (US)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a guzzler GULPING down gasoline. The word 'guzzle' sounds like 'gush' – imagine fuel GUSHING into a tank.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMPTION IS GLUTTONY / A DEVICE IS A LIVING BEING WITH AN APPETITE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'guzzler' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?