fixer-upper

noun

fix·​er-up·​per ˈfik-sər-ˌə-pər How to pronounce fixer-upper (audio)
: something (such as a house or car) that needs fixing up

Examples of fixer-upper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Burke moved to the neighborhood in 2012, purchasing a fixer-upper that had been on the market for a year. Jillian Atelsek, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 The best way to deal with fixer-uppers and frenzied fans is to silence them early in the game. Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 12 Jan. 2024 Priced out of the Bay Area and South Pasadena, a couple bought a Spanish fixer-upper in Eagle Rock, assisted by the earning potential of an ADU. Sept. 6, 2023 4 Lifestyle Millennials and Gen Z can’t afford homes. Lisa Boonestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024 In addition to its architectural charm—the second-floor balconies and impressive turret are designed to dazzle—the Old Granville House serves as the original fixer-upper. Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 19 Dec. 2023 For buyers making the jump to homeownership, fixer-uppers are becoming more appealing with their lower inventory and higher costs. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Dec. 2023 Josiah’s father was an engineer turned insurance salesman, and the family lived in a fixer-upper surrounded by woods and farmland. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023 In 2016, Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein turned their love of affordable fixer-uppers into the wildly popular Instagram account @cheapoldhouses. Jura Koncius, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023 Financing a fixer-upper Munro and Cordero purchased their first Mount Pleasant house for $960,000 with a 20 percent down payment. Michele Lerner, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fixer-upper.' 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

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fixer-upper was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near fixer-upper

Cite this Entry

“Fixer-upper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fixer-upper. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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