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

In that 30-second spot, against the backdrop of soft lighting and a familiar score, Mamdani makes his campaign pitch to viewers with a kicker of him offering them a rose. —Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025

Bengals kicker Evan McPherson recently told The Enquirer that Sotto is his personal favorite eatery. —Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025

But the real kicker is that understanding how CRPV worked in rabbits helped scientists figure out how certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025

Left guard Logan Mankins, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, safety Rodney Harrison, cornerback Asante Samuel and kicker Adam Vinatieri are among 52 players who advanced in the voting process for the 2026 hall of fame class. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

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