rattler
Americannoun
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something that rattles
-
an informal name for rattlesnake
Etymology
Origin of rattler
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at rattle 1, -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.
Demand for alarm clocks took off in the late 19th century and early models were named the Rattler, the Slumber Stopper and the Tornado.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026
Each of the Rattler boats were operated by a two-person team, with one responsible for piloting the drone and the other monitoring and operating onboard systems, as well as helping to manage live data streams.
From BBC • Nov. 2, 2025
Derek Carr's retirement after the draft left the Saints scrambling for a quarterback and having to name former fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler as their starter.
From BBC • Sep. 3, 2025
Rattler has an outstanding arm but played behind a porous offensive line last season and forced a lot of throws.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2024
“Now, there’s an idea. Maybe the Rattler is dead and buried and left us that note. Remember Uncle Louver’s story about the ghostly figure moving about the woods.”
From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool
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.
