weeder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to technical; most frequent in gardening, agriculture, and informal academic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “weeder” mean?
A person or a tool that removes unwanted plants (weeds).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or a tool that removes unwanted plants (weeds).
1. A summer job or worker engaged in removing weeds from a garden or farm. 2. In academic contexts, an exam or process designed to eliminate weaker candidates. 3. Informally, a person who removes undesirable elements from a group or collection. 4. A type of tool with a hooked blade for extracting weeds.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The tool sense is equally common in both varieties. The metaphorical 'academic weeder' (a challenging introductory course) is more established in US university slang.
Connotations
Generally neutral for tools/jobs; can carry negative connotations (harsh, exclusive) in the selection/elimination metaphor.
Frequency
The literal tool/job sense is moderately low frequency. The academic selection sense is low frequency and niche.
Grammar
How to Use “weeder” in a Sentence
[Subject: person/tool] + weeder + [Object: garden/field][Subject: course/exam] + weeder + [Object: students]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “weeder” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to weed the allotment before planting.
- The committee will weed out the unsuitable applications.
American English
- We have to weed the backyard this weekend.
- The first exam is meant to weed out the less dedicated students.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in horticultural business or HR contexts metaphorically ('a weeder of underperformers').
Academic
Used in metaphorical sense in US: 'Chemistry 101 is a notorious weeder.'
Everyday
Most common in gardening contexts: 'I bought a new weeder for the flower beds.'
Technical
In agriculture/horticulture for specific tools: 'A collinear hoe is a type of precision weeder.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “weeder”
- Using 'weeder' as a verb (incorrect: *'I will weeder the garden.' Correct: 'I will weed/use a weeder in the garden.').
- Confusing 'weeder' (agent/tool) with 'weed' (the plant or the action).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's moderately common in gardening/agriculture contexts but less common in everyday speech. The academic 'weeder course' is niche US slang.
Yes, it can refer to a person whose job is to remove weeds, e.g., 'They hired three weeders for the park.'
A hoe is a broader category of tool for breaking soil and cutting weeds. A weeder is a specific tool designed to extract weeds, often with a forked or hooked blade to remove roots.
No. The verb is 'to weed'. 'Weeder' is only a noun (for the tool or person).
A person or a tool that removes unwanted plants (weeds).
Weeder is usually neutral to technical; most frequent in gardening, agriculture, and informal academic contexts. in register.
Weeder: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwiːdə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwiːdər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"A weeder course" (US): a difficult introductory course designed to fail out less capable students.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A WEEDER WEEDs-E-R (gets rid of WEEDS).'
Conceptual Metaphor
REMOVING UNWANTED ELEMENTS IS WEEDING (e.g., weeding out corruption, weeding a candidate list).
Practice
Quiz
In US academic slang, what is a 'weeder course' primarily designed to do?