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gravedigger

American  
[greyv-dig-er] / ˈgreɪvˌdɪg ər /

noun

  1. a person whose occupation is digging graves.

  2. burying beetle.

Etymology

Origin of gravedigger

First recorded in 1585–95; grave 1 + digger

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.

This time, Karinchak was the Gravedigger, burying the Mariners’ last, best — and only — chance.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2023

And as the Gravedigger, Van Norden really does seem to be digging a hole in the earth even when delivering what can’t help sounding today like Beckettian retorts.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2022

Mr. Breslin called his enterprising technique “the Gravedigger Theory of news coverage,” and it became his signature approach to column-writing.

From Washington Post • Mar. 19, 2017

Gravedigger: You lie out on't, sir, and therefore it is not yours: for my part, I do not lie in't, and yet it is mine.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2013

How did she not have the Gravedigger on speed dial?

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

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.