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

Santos from 51 While McManus struggled in the January conditions, the Bears had their weapon at kicker, someone who is plenty familiar with kicking at Soldier Field in the winter. —Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026

Northwestern has a new kicking operation with former Bowling Green kicker Jackson Kleather and former Michigan long snapper Evan Boutorwick. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026

As for his kicking skills, Kohl is the son of Jamie Kohl, who was Iowa State’s starting kicker from 1995 to 1998. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

Thirteen plays later, kicker Andy Borregales put the Patriots ahead, 3-0, on a 23-yard field goal 90 seconds into the second quarter. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 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