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 Dragons’ explosive offense slowed in the second half with kicker Gavin Strange missing two field goals. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Nov. 2025

The new version still sees the ball kicked from the kicking team’s 35-yard line, but every player on the kicking team other than the kicker himself now lines up with at least one foot on the returning team’s 40-yard line. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025

Packers kicker Brandon McManus attempted a last-second, 64-yard field goal that fluttered and fell nowhere close. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025

And even then running back Rico Dowdle was a madman, and kicker Ryan Fitzgerald earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 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