grafter
1 Americannoun
noun
-
a person who obtains money or other advantage by dishonest, unfair, or illegal means, especially through the abuse of position or influence in politics, business, etc..
For 17 years she had been writing newspaper stories about grafters—crooked bankers, corrupt politicians, and the like—and winning armloads of journalism awards for it.
-
British Slang. a worker, especially a particularly industrious or dedicated worker.
To succeed in this job you also need to be a real grafter, someone eager for a chance to work hard in an ever-growing company.
Etymology
Origin of grafter1
graft 1 ( def. ) + -er 1 ( def. )
Origin of grafter2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Gary Farmer, the nursery’s head grafter, says it is the first real hope he has had in 20 years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
He went from working in the vineyards to becoming a master grafter and eventually owning land and opening his tasting room.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 5, 2023
Torode described the winner as "a real talent" and "a grafter", while Wallace praised his "definitive style".
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2020
Where the grifter is shameless, the grafter shrinks from exposure, which could only endanger the racket.
From Slate ● May 10, 2018
They passed the minions of the great grafter.
From The Great Gold Rush A Tale of the Klondike by W. H. P. (William Henry Pope) Jarvis
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
