beachcomber

noun

beach·​comb·​er ˈbēch-ˌkō-mər How to pronounce beachcomber (audio)
plural beachcombers
1
: a person who searches along a shore (as for seashells, driftwood, or salable refuse)
2
dated : a non-Indigenous person (such as a European castaway or convict) living as a drifter or loafer especially on the islands of the South Pacific (such as Micronesia)
beachcomb intransitive verb
beachcombed; beachcombing; beachcombs
Beachcombing for antique blue glass beads … Karl Luntta
My mother loved to beachcomb after high tide on stormy days … Motor Boating & Sailing

Examples of beachcomber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Diving Mauritius has centers located at several beachcomber hotels: Beachcomber Canonnier Golf Resort and Spa; Beachcomber Victoria Resort and Spa and Beachcomber Shandrani Resort and Spa. Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 My destination, Parksville, is a beachcomber’s paradise, especially when the tide is changing. Jen Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2024 The Company Says Drivers Are to Blame As for Momoa, the star has always done well with Curry by threading a lot of his surfer-bro persona into the character, but by the end of this sequel, there’s the sensation of him bumping his head against the ceiling of his patented beachcomber charm. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2023 Magnet fishers throw their lines into waters all over the world, joining the tribe of amateur treasure hunters that includes beachcombers with their metal detectors and mudlarkers plucking Roman coins from the muck of the River Thames. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023 The apex predator made famous by Jaws (and, OK, by The Meg and Sharknado) has been spotted on East Coast beaches from South Carolina up past Cape Cod, leaving potential beachcombers worried by accounts of close encounters and attacks. Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023 Hazel’s has been serving hearty breakfasts to hungry beachcombers since 1957, which, coincidentally, is the year I was born. Bob Carlton | Bcarlton@al.com, al, 27 July 2023 Hazel’s has been serving hearty breakfasts to hungry beachcombers since 1957, and looking around, the place doesn’t appear to have changed a whole lot over the decades. Bob Carlton | Bcarlton@al.com, al, 26 Jan. 2023 Cox Bay beach, located just a few steps from the resort, is a haven for surfers, beachcombers, and those looking for a peaceful escape. Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beachcomber.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of beachcomber was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near beachcomber

Cite this Entry

“Beachcomber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beachcomber. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

beachcomber

noun
beach·​comb·​er ˈbēch-ˌkō-mər How to pronounce beachcomber (audio)
1
: a drifter or loafer especially on a South Pacific island
2
: a person who searches along a beach (as for seashells or items to sell)

More from Merriam-Webster on beachcomber

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