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Synonyms

bouncer

American  
[boun-ser] / ˈbaʊn sər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that bounces.

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

  3. something large of its kind.

bouncer British  
/ ˈbaʊnsə /

noun

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

  2. slang a dishonoured cheque

  3. cricket another word for bumper 1

  4. 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

Etymology

Origin of bouncer

First recorded in 1755–65; bounce + -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.

A multiple Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion has reflected on her journey from being a bouncer on the streets of Cardiff to fighting for a title in Las Vegas.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

The host is a former bouncer for”The Jerry Springer Show.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

An altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington, a wasteful Ashes performance and a foolish attempt to hide the truth, for which he later had to come clean.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Glenn walked toward another bar, where he got into an argument with a bouncer who denied him entry.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

Alfred the bouncer heard them and thought they were having a party.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck

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.