sundowner

American  

[suhn-dau-ner] / ˈsʌnˌdaʊ nər /

noun

1. Chiefly British. an alcoholic drink taken after completing the day's work, usually at sundown.

2. Australian. a tramp or hobo, especially one who arrives at a homestead near sundown in order to avoid having to work in exchange for shelter.

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sundowner British  

/ ˈsʌnˌdaʊnə /

noun

1. obsolete a tramp, esp one who seeks food and lodging at sundown when it is too late to work

2. nautical a strict ship's officer

3. informal an alcoholic drink taken at sunset

4. slang a lazy sheepdog

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Etymology

Origin of sundowner

First recorded in 1870–75; sundown + -er ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sundowner

Southern Santa Barbara County is also expected to see dry, gusty sundowner winds in the evenings through Thursday, Lund said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

But gusty sundowner winds are expected Sunday night and Monday night, further elevating dangerous fire conditions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2023

It was the so-called "sundowner" moment, when people sit and have a drink at the end of the day, watching the sky turn orange and red as the sun disappears over the horizon.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2022

End a day of wildlife explorations in Placencia with a proper sundowner at either Tipsy Tuna for chicken wings and karaoke, or Barefoot Beach Bar for burgers and live music.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 14, 2021

The wayfaring stranger might have taken it for but another station homestead, on a smaller scale than most; as a fact, he frequently did, in the person of the professional sundowner.

From Thirty Years in Australia by Ada Cambridge

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