rigger: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical, Specialized, Informal (when referring to fraud)
Quick answer
What does “rigger” mean?
A person who sets up, maintains, or repairs equipment, especially ropes, sails, and gear on a ship, or cranes and scaffolding.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who sets up, maintains, or repairs equipment, especially ropes, sails, and gear on a ship, or cranes and scaffolding.
A person who manipulates or arranges something dishonestly, especially an election; also, a specialist who sets up the skeletal structure for 3D models in computer animation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'rigger' is strongly associated with sailing and maritime work. In American English, it is more commonly linked to construction, oil rigs, and crane operation.
Connotations
Both share the negative connotation of 'election rigger'. The skilled trade connotation is more positive and specific to industry.
Frequency
More frequent in technical and industrial contexts in both varieties. The fraudulent sense is equally understood but less common.
Grammar
How to Use “rigger” in a Sentence
rigger for [company/event]rigger of [equipment/system]rigger on [project/ship]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a specialist setting up equipment for events or construction; negatively, one who manipulates a process.
Academic
Rare, except in technical fields like engineering, maritime studies, or computer graphics.
Everyday
Uncommon. If used, typically in news about election fraud or in contexts involving sailing or heavy machinery.
Technical
Standard term in sailing, construction, entertainment (stage/theatre), and 3D animation industries.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rigger”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rigger”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rigger”
- Confusing 'rigger' with 'rigor' (as in 'rigor mortis').
- Using 'rigger' as a verb (e.g., 'He riggered the system' is incorrect; correct verb is 'rig').
- Misspelling as 'riger' or 'riggar'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is primarily a neutral, skilled job title in technical fields. The negative connotation applies only in contexts of dishonest manipulation, such as 'election rigger'.
A rigger is responsible for setting up, securing, and preparing the load and equipment. The crane operator then controls the crane to move the load. They often work together.
No, 'rigger' is a noun. The related verb is 'to rig' (e.g., to rig the sails, to rig an election).
The main difference is in the final '-er' sound. British English uses a schwa /ə/, while American English uses a rhotic /ɚ/ (a syllabic 'r' sound).
A person who sets up, maintains, or repairs equipment, especially ropes, sails, and gear on a ship, or cranes and scaffolding.
Rigger is usually technical, specialized, informal (when referring to fraud) in register.
Rigger: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪɡə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪɡɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rigger mortis (humorous pun on 'rigor mortis' in sailing contexts)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RIGGER as a person who RIGs up the RIGging on a ship or a RIG.
Conceptual Metaphor
SETTING UP IS CONSTRUCTING A FRAME (technical); MANIPULATING IS TAMPERING WITH A STRUCTURE (fraudulent).
Practice
Quiz
In which field would you LEAST likely encounter a 'rigger' as a standard job title?