tester: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal in technical/business contexts; neutral in everyday use.
Quick answer
What does “tester” mean?
A person or device that tests something, especially to check for quality, performance, or reliability.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or device that tests something, especially to check for quality, performance, or reliability.
A preliminary sample or model used to evaluate a concept; a small sample of a cosmetic product; a canopy over a four-poster bed (archaic).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'tester' for person/device. The 'bed canopy' sense is rare but equally understood in historical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In tech/QA contexts, it implies professional, systematic evaluation.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in manufacturing/software contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tester” in a Sentence
tester of [product/software]tester for [company/team]tester at [organization]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tester” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The tester identified several critical bugs before launch.
- She works as a fragrance tester for a major cosmetics firm.
- The antique bed still had its original tester.
American English
- The tester filed a detailed report on the build's stability.
- He got a job as a video game tester right out of college.
- The museum's period room features a canopy bed with a velvet tester.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
We need to recruit a new software tester for the development team.
Academic
The prototype was evaluated by an independent tester under laboratory conditions.
Everyday
I got a free perfume tester at the department store.
Technical
The circuit tester indicated a faulty connection.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tester”
- Using 'tester' as a verb (incorrect: 'I will tester the app'; correct: 'I will test the app').
- Confusing 'beta tester' (person) with 'beta test' (process).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, primarily. It most commonly means a person who tests (e.g., software tester) or a device used for testing (e.g., pH tester).
A 'test' is the procedure or event (the exam). A 'tester' is the entity (person or device) that performs or administers that test.
Yes, especially in tech and gaming industries for people who test pre-release versions of software or games.
It is a small, often unboxed sample bottle of perfume provided in stores for customers to try, or a person whose job is to evaluate new fragrances.
A person or device that tests something, especially to check for quality, performance, or reliability.
Tester is usually neutral to formal in technical/business contexts; neutral in everyday use. in register.
Tester: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtes.tər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtes.tɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tester's eye (keen eye for detail)”
- “To wear the tester's hat (to temporarily take on testing duties)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TEST' + '-ER' (like teachER, one who teaches) = one who tests.
Conceptual Metaphor
TESTER IS A DETECTIVE (seeking flaws/errors).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'tester' LEAST likely to refer to a person?