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Quaker

American  
[kwey-ker] / ˈkweɪ kər /

noun

  1. a popular name for a member of the Society of Friends.

Quaker British  
/ ˈkweɪkə /

noun

  1. a member of the Religious Society of Friends, a Christian sect founded by George Fox about 1650, whose central belief is the doctrine of the Inner Light. Quakers reject sacraments, ritual, and formal ministry, hold meetings at which any member may speak, and have promoted many causes for social reform

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or designating the Religious Society of Friends or its religious beliefs or practices

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Quaker Cultural  

  1. A member of the Religious Society of Friends. The Quakers are a group of Christians (see also Christian) who use no scripture and believe in great simplicity in daily life and in worship. Their services consist mainly of silent meditation.

Discover More

Quakers have traditionally been committed to pacifism.

Pennsylvania was settled by a group of Quakers fleeing religious persecution.

Other Word Forms

  • Quakeress noun
  • Quakerish adjective
  • Quakerism noun
  • Quakerlike adjective
  • anti-Quaker adjective
  • non-Quaker noun
  • non-Quakerish adjective
  • pro-Quaker adjective

Etymology

Origin of Quaker

First recorded in 1590–1600; quake + -er 1

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.

Shell said it will retain its Pennzoil Quaker State, Rotella and other Shell lubricants brands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

For months, activists have been demanding more support from city leadership, explained Elias Siegelman, an activist who works with No ICE Philly, which meets in the quintessentially Pennsylvanian location of a Quaker meeting house.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026

Maj Thomas Stewart, Life Guards squadron leader, said Quaker was the only horse from the five that had been unable to return to its duties.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025

They come from a variety of organizations, from legal aid groups to Quaker societies, or are just concerned citizens who have realized they can show up and help.

From Slate • Oct. 10, 2025

He was an exceptionally bright student–so very bright indeed that at the improbably youthful age of twelve he was put in charge of the local Quaker school.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.