gunslinger

American  

[guhn-sling-er] / ˈgʌnˌslɪŋ ər /

noun

1. Informal. gunfighter.

2. Slang. a person who acts in an aggressive and decisive manner, especially in business or politics, as an investor who takes large risks in seeking large, quick gains.

---

gunslinger British  

/ ˈɡʌnˌslɪŋə /

noun

1. slang a gunfighter or gunman, esp in the Old West

---

Other Word Forms

• gunslinging adjective

Etymology

Origin of gunslinger

First recorded in 1950–55; gun ¹ + sling ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Julie is intended as a fairly good-natured, warmly attractive and decidedly incongruous gunslinger.

From The Wall Street Journal

If only for a game, the former gunslinger was more of a game manager.

From Los Angeles Times

They quickly lost $600 million so instead hired “a couple of gunslingers” to buy dot-com stocks, resulting in an up year.

From The Wall Street Journal

But like a retired gunslinger in a western movie, circumstances will not let him rest.

From Los Angeles Times

I did this very serious gunslinger, like Yul Brynner from “The Magnificent Seven,” because I had no hair when I auditioned.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bandit
• crook
• desperado
• fugitive
• gangster
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• marauder
• mobster
• outcast
• pariah
• robber