hacker

American  

[hak-er] / ˈhæk ər /

noun

• hackers
  plural

1. a person or thing that hacks.

2. Slang. a person who engages in an activity without talent or skill.

   weekend hackers on the golf course.

3. Computers.

   1. a person who has a high level of skill in computer technology or programming; a computer expert or enthusiast.

      My brother is a real hacker—he fixed my laptop in no time.

   2. a person who circumvents security and breaks into a network, computer, file, etc., often, but not always, with malicious intent.

      A hacker got into my computer remotely and wiped my hard drive!

      The company has hired hackers to test system security.

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hacker British  

/ ˈhækə /

noun

1. a person that hacks

2. slang a computer fanatic, esp one who through a personal computer breaks into the computer system of a company, government, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• hackers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of hacker

First recorded in 1200–50 hacker for def. 1; Middle English (as surname); see hack ¹, -er ¹; 1965–70 hacker for def. 2

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Explanation

A hacker is a skilled computer programmer who uses her abilities to break into the computer systems of companies or organizations. While most people imagine a hacker as a bad guy who steals credit card information, destroys data, or is otherwise malicious and destructive, some hackers break into systems simply to test their security. There are so many hackers today that they've formed a true community and subculture. The earliest use of hacker is from 1983, from hack as "person hired to do routine work," although MIT students in the 1960's reportedly used the word hack to mean "creative prank."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hacker hackers

On the night of 13 October, Azerbaijan's State Service for Special Communications and Information Security said a "foreign hacker group" had attacked more than 100 state websites.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

The Portuguese computer hacker who released documents which helped trigger the Premier League investigation into Manchester City will remain in witness protection after authorities in the country suspended the decision to end it.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Adding to Revolut’s headaches, the company is facing extortion threats from a shadowy hacker who claims to be behind the breach.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

It sounds freaky when you read about how the OpenAI hacker agents all “talked” to one another on special forums—but all software, generative or not, is communicative by nature.

From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026

“If I weren’t, I wouldn’t be much use in catching a hacker, now would I?”

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

But it’s also true that hackers will often keep information confidential pending the outcome of a ransom demand.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

The hackers also obtained access to unique student identifier numbers as well as information about gender, race or ethnicity, primary language, country of origin and English learner status.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

The hackers also threatened to publish the data on their dark net website unless Synnovis paid a ransom.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Cyber-security experts told the BBC it was an unprecedented move for hackers to effectively transform an app notification system into a "ransom note".

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

“But Alice camped near those hackers and the librarian saw them going up Tenmile Creek a little while ago. I’m going back to find her.”

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

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