kicker

noun

kick·​er ˈki-kər 

1

: one that kicks or kicks something

2

: an unexpected and surprising remark, revelation, or set of circumstances

Examples of kicker in a Sentence

The real kicker came when the chairman announced that he was quitting.

Recent Examples on the Web

The longer-term kicker for investors is its services. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 22 June 2026

His new deal includes a fourth-year player option and a 15% trade kicker. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Leave it to the kicker to have a take on the FIFA World Cup. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026

The 7-footer agreed to a four-year, $130 million contract with a player option in the fourth season and a 15 percent trade kicker. — Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for kicker

• bicker
• dicker
• flicker
• liquor
• picker
• quicker
• ricker
• sicker
• slicker
• snicker
• sticker
• thicker