corker

American  

[kawr-ker] / ˈkɔr kər /

noun

1. a person or thing that corks.

2. Informal. something that closes a discussion or settles a question.

3. Informal. someone or something that is astonishing or excellent.

---

corker British  

/ ˈkɔːkə /

noun

1. slang

   1. something or somebody striking or outstanding

      that was a corker of a joke

   2. an irrefutable remark that puts an end to discussion

2. a person or machine that inserts corks

---

Etymology

Origin of corker

First recorded in 1715–25; cork + -er ¹; corker defs. 2, 3 of unclear relation to corker def. 1 and perhaps of distinct origin

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

corker

With its lawyerly shenanigans and emotional poignancy, “A Case of Life and Limb” is a real corker, as a policeman who sometimes counsels Gabriel might say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 5, 2025

It is going to be a corker of a tie, but City boss Pep Guardiola always goes strong in the FA Cup and, with no Son, that gives the holders the edge.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2024

This week’s book podcast is a real corker.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 8, 2017

Ms. French has been a corker among crime writers ever since “In the Woods” won the Edgar for best first novel.

From New York Times ● Dec. 14, 2016

He came up with a corker: a theogony that transformed the Mexica into keepers of the cosmic order.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---