sundowner

noun

sun·​down·​er ˈsən-ˌdau̇-nər 

1

[from his habit of arriving at a place where he hopes to obtain food and lodging too late to do any work] Australia : hobo sense 2, vagrant sense 1a

2

chiefly British : a drink taken at sundown

Synonyms

• bum
• beggar
• hobo
• tramp
• swagman [chiefly Australian]
• transient
• swaggie [chiefly Australian]
• vagabond
• vagrant

Examples of sundowner in a Sentence

sundowners showing up at a sheep station looking for work

Recent Examples on the Web

Dinner under the stars and sundowners occur on the beach nightly as well as onsite cooking classes. —Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

The adults-only rooftop bar is the perfect sundowner spot with a firepit and views of Stellenbosch’s Helderberg mountains. —Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025

Rascal has a flat-top roof where the group gathered most nights for canapes and sundowners at anchor, or when under way, sat in lounges on the sun deck, watching the islands in the distance. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2025

Guests also receive a sundowner drink of the alcoholic or non-alcoholic variety. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sundowner

• homeowner
• landowner
• shipowner
• donor
• kroner
• kronor
• loner
• owner
• stoner
• toner

Kids Definition

sundowner

noun

sun·​down·​er -ˌdau̇-nər 

Australian

: tramp entry 2 sense 1, hobo