rooter

¹ American  

[roo-ter, root-er] / ˈru tər, ˈrʊt ər /

noun

1. a person, animal, or thing that roots, as with the snout.

2. South Midland and Southern U.S. a pig's snout.

3. black buffalo.

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rooter ² American  

[roo-ter, root-er] / ˈru tər, ˈrʊt ər /

noun

1. a person who roots for, supports, or encourages a team or contestant.

2. a loyal and enthusiastic helper, follower, or supporter.

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Etymology

Origin of rooter¹

First recorded in 1640–50; root ² + -er ¹

Origin of rooter²

First recorded in 1885–90; root ³ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

When Meek, a Mercer Island High School grad, signed with the Huskies, his grandfather became the team’s most avid rooter.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2022

But even a rabid rooter like this reviewer did not know about “the Curse of Chico Ruiz,” an undistinguished infielder for the Cincinnati Reds who haunted the Philadelphia Phillies.

From Washington Post • Sep. 17, 2020

I have been a USC rooter for 80 or more years and will continue to be, come what may.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2020

But this Chicago Cubs rooter is now prepared for the long overdue transfer of perpetual suffering to other enthusiasts.

From New York Times • Oct. 13, 2017

Pardo de Tavera derives Tiruray from atew rooter, “people living above,” that is, “up the river.”

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century, Volume XLIII, 1670-1700 by Various

Related Words

• adherent
• admirer
• aficionado
• believer
• booster
• buff
• disciple
• enthusiast
• fanatic
• follower
• groupie
• junkie
• lover
• supporter