spiker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Slang
Quick answer
What does “spiker” mean?
A person or thing that drives a spike or pointed object into something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that drives a spike or pointed object into something.
In sports, especially volleyball, an attacking player who spikes the ball. Informally, a person who deliberately adulterates a drink or food with drugs or alcohol.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The volleyball sense is understood in both varieties. The informal sense of tampering with a drink is more likely in US slang. The occupational sense (e.g., rail worker) is archaic and largely historical for both.
Connotations
In sports context: positive, skilled. In informal 'drink-tampering' context: highly negative, criminal.
Frequency
Overall very low frequency. Most common in volleyball contexts worldwide.
Grammar
How to Use “spiker” in a Sentence
[Team/Coach] + has/needs + a strong spiker.The spiker + jumped + to spike the ball.He was accused of being a drink spiker.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spiker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To spike is the verb; 'spiker' is not used as a verb.
American English
- To spike is the verb; 'spiker' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The spiker position is crucial. (noun used attributively)
American English
- The spiker role requires great vertical leap. (noun used attributively)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Rare, except in sports science literature discussing volleyball tactics.
Everyday
Limited to discussions of volleyball. The informal negative sense is very rare.
Technical
Used in volleyball coaching and commentary. Historically in railway engineering.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spiker”
- Using 'spiker' to mean someone who wears spiked clothing/jewellery (incorrect). Using it as a general term for any aggressive player outside volleyball (e.g., in tennis).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has a low frequency and is primarily used in the specific context of volleyball.
No. The related verb is 'to spike'. 'Spiker' is exclusively a noun.
The setter sets up the ball for an attack; the spiker is the attacker who jumps and hits (spikes) the ball into the opponent's court.
No, it is a very rare and specialised slang usage. The primary association is with sports.
A person or thing that drives a spike or pointed object into something.
Spiker is usually technical/slang in register.
Spiker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspaɪ.kər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspaɪ.kɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for 'spiker' as a noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a volleyball player SPIking the ball over the net – they are the SPI-KER.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGGRESSION IS A SHARP IMPACT (spiking the ball). DECEPTION/CORRUPTION IS CONTAMINATION (spiking a drink).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'spiker' MOST commonly used today?