bouncer

[ boun-ser ]

/ ˈbaʊn sər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bouncer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person or thing that bounces.

a person who is employed at a bar, nightclub, etc., to eject disorderly persons.

something large of its kind.

Nearby words

Origin of bouncer

First recorded in 1755–65; bounce + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bouncer

But the bouncer catches up with you a couple of blocks away and pops you.
Mark Ruffalo Blasts Iraq’s GOP Warmongers, Talks ‘Begin Again’ and ‘Avengers’|Marlow Stern|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He also failed a drug test and allegedly hit a bouncer so hard he punctured his eardrum.
Sham Classes and Crime Coverups Are the NCAA Normal|Robert Silverman|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A few minutes later, the bouncer hands me a paper hat featuring an orange T-Rex about to swallow a smaller blue dinosaur.
Macaulay Culkin’s Life After Fame|Ramin Setoodeh|June 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Some said yes—but one added, "why would you want to get arrested and be a bouncer?"
Princeton's Woman Problem|Evan Thomas|March 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Because of his size and acting chops, he was hoping to be cast as a bouncer or bartender.
Carrie Bradshaw and Me|Rebecca Dana|August 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST
By the way, let me congratulate you on your distinct success as Mrs. Bouncer, last evening.
Miss Hildreth, Volume 2 of 3|Augusta de Grasse Stevens
Bouncer had sat very quietly in the boat watching all our proceedings.
Snow Shoes and Canoes|William H. G. Kingston
Old Mr. Bouncer was in charge of the family that afternoon, because Benjamin and Flopsy had gone out.
The Tale of Mr. Tod|Beatrix Potter
Bouncer accompanied us, and he was so well-trained that he would assist us greatly should we fall in with a deer.
Snow Shoes and Canoes|William H. G. Kingston
Mr. Bouncer did not condescend to do more than nod his head.
Phineas Redux|Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for bouncer

bouncer

/ (ˈbaʊnsə) /

noun

slang a person employed at a club, pub, disco, etc, to throw out drunks or troublemakers and stop those considered undesirable from entering

slang a dishonoured cheque

cricket another word for bumper 1

a person or thing that bounces

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

Word Origin and History for bouncer

bouncer

mid-19c. in various senses, noun derivative of bounce (v.) in its original sense of "thump, hit." Earliest attested is "boaster, bully, braggart" (1833); also "large example of its kind" (1842); "enforcer of order in a bar or saloon" (1865, American English, originally colloquial).

"The Bouncer" is merely the English "chucker out". When liberty verges on license and gaiety on wanton delirium, the Bouncer selects the gayest of the gay, and -- bounces him! ["London Daily News," July 26, 1883]

bouncer

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of bouncer

Examples from the Web for bouncer

British Dictionary definitions for bouncer

bouncer

noun

Word Origin and History for bouncer

bouncer