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sundowner

American  
[suhn-dou-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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sundowner

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And Santa Barbara County could see gusty sundowner winds on Saturday and Sunday evening, according to the weather service.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 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

Oh yes, there might be an odd sundowner camp aboard of her once in a month o' Sundays; but I doubt it.

From The Record of Nicholas Freydon An Autobiography by Dawson, A. J. (Alec John)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.