er

1 of 5

interjection

ˈə How to pronounce er (audio)
usually with prolonged vowel
ˈä How to pronounce er (audio)
nonstandard
ˈər How to pronounce er (audio)
used to express hesitation

Er

2 of 5

symbol

erbium

ER

3 of 5

abbreviation

1
earned run
2
emergency room

-er

4 of 5

adjective suffix or adverb suffix

used to form the comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs of one syllable
hotter
drier
and of some adjectives and adverbs of two or more syllables
completer
beautifuller

-er

5 of 5

noun suffix

variants or less commonly -ier or -yer
1
a
: person occupationally connected with
furrier
lawyer
b
: person or thing belonging to or associated with
header
old-timer
c
: native of : resident of
cottager
New Yorker
d
: one that has
three-decker
e
: one that produces or yields
porker
2
a
: one that does or performs (a specified action)
batter
sometimes added to both elements of a compound
builder-upper
b
: one that is a suitable object of (a specified action)
broiler
3
: one that is
foreigner
in all senses -yer in a few words after w, -ier in a few other words, otherwise -er

Examples of er in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Interjection
Keep scrolling to shop more good, er great, buys, including a denim midi skirt that looks similar to the one Jennifer Lawrence wore, before our exclusive code expires on Thursday, March 7 at 11:59 p.m. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 If you’ve been intrigued by the Apple Vision Pro, but haven’t yet committed to buying the headset, one airline will soon give you the chance to test-drive—er, pilot?—the new technology. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2024 The new food trailer is preparing to unveil its culinary orchestra (er, menu) at 5114 W. Emerald St. in Boise — just west of Orchard Street. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Feb. 2024 The best, er, second-best defenseman in the league behind Miro Heiskanen. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2024 Just what have your favorite factions — er, actors been up to lately? Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2024 The hair guru of choice for just about every Housewife (not to mention Vanderpump Rules star, Summer House tenant, and Southern Charm-er), Michael has been styling the most notable reality stars of our time for well over a decade. Lindy Segal, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2024 Jason Kelce Chokes Up Congratulating Travis on 2024 Super Bowl Spot: 'Finish This Motherf---er' In addition to Swift, Travis was supported by his brother Jason Kelce, parents Donna and Ed Kelce and sister-in-law Kylie Kelce during the game in Baltimore. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 29 Jan. 2024 But once the rezoning happened, Columbia could let ’er rip. Clio Chang, Curbed, 13 Dec. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective suffix or adverb suffix

Middle English -er, -ere, -re, from Old English -ra (in adjectives), -or (in adverbs); akin to Old High German -iro, adjective comparative suffix, Latin -ior, Greek -iōn

Noun suffix

Middle English -er, -ere, -ier, -iere; partly from Old English -ere (from Latin -arius); partly from Old French -ier, -iere, from Latin -arius, -aria, -arium -ary; partly from Anglo-French -ere, from Latin -ator -or — more at -ary, -or

First Known Use

Interjection

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of er was in 1862

Dictionary Entries Near er

Cite this Entry

“Er.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/er. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

-er

1 of 2 adjective suffix or adverb suffix
ər;
 after some vowels, often  r;
 after  ŋ,
 usually  gər
used to form the comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs of one syllable
hotter
drier
and of some adjectives and adverbs of two or more syllables
completer
beautifuller

-er

2 of 2 noun suffix
ər;
 after some vowels, often  r
variants also -ier
ē-ər,
yər
or -yer
yər
1
a
: person connected with a particular job or occupation
furrier
lawyer
b
: person or thing belonging to or associated with
old-timer
c
: native of
New Yorker
: resident of
cottager
d
: one that has
double-decker
e
: one that produces or yields
porker
2
a
: one that does or performs (a specified action)
reporter
b
: one that is a suitable object of (a specified action)
broiler
3
: one that is
foreigner
Etymology

Adjective suffix or adverb suffix

Old English -ra (adjective suffix) or Old English -or (adverb suffix)

Noun suffix

derived from Old English -ere and Latin -arius (both noun suffixes)

Medical Definition

Er

1 of 2 symbol
erbium

ER

2 of 2 abbreviation

More from Merriam-Webster on er

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