tree-hugger

American  

[tree-huhg-er] / ˈtriˌhʌg ər /

noun

1. an environmentalist, especially one concerned with preserving forests.

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tree-hugger British  

/ ˈtriːˌhʌɡə /

noun

1. informal an environmental campaigner

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Other Word Forms

• tree-hugging adjective

Etymology

Origin of tree-hugger

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

“When I was talking to the workers who were out there helping me get the pellets out of the bay, they would say, ‘I’m no tree-hugger, but I care about the bay,’ or ‘I’m no tree-hugger, but I care about the children.’

From Salon

Make no mistake, however: Abramson was not your typical tree-hugger.

From Los Angeles Times

Simard didn’t exactly grow up a tree-hugger.

From Los Angeles Times

SJ Oh, a former bitcoin trader based in Hong Kong and a self-professed “tree-hugger”, was aware that his passion for the environment was somewhat at odds with his day job.

From Reuters

Joe Biden, hardly a rabid tree-hugger, has put environmental issues at the center of plans for his presidency.

From New York Times