verb

clobber

KLOB-uh

Clobber (verb) means to hit or defeat someone or something forcefully and decisively. Example: “The home team clobbered their rivals 6-0.”

verb

To hit or defeat someone or something forcefully and decisively.

"The home team clobbered their rivals 6-0."

"He got clobbered by a falling branch during the storm."

To overwrite data unintentionally, especially in computing.

"The script accidentally clobbered the saved file with an empty one."

noun

British informal term for clothing or belongings.

"He grabbed his clobber and headed out the door."

How to Use Clobber

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo hit or beat decisively, to accidentally overwrite data, or (British slang) one's clothes and gear.

When to use it

Informal in all senses; the "clothing" and "overwrite" meanings are especially casual/slangy.

Common pairings

clobber the competition get clobbered

Word Forms

clobbered past tense, clobbers singular

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The home team _____ their rivals 6-0.

Etymology

British slang first recorded around 1941, possibly imitating the sound of distant bombs during wartime.

· First attested 1941

Class of 1941 clobber joined the language around 1941.

Cheerios robotic robotics

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Synonyms

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stuff cream bat lick batter thrash baste drub

Related Words

things money white matter hit field stuff river

Rhymes for clobber

robber slobber

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “clobber” mean?

The word “clobber” means to hit or defeat someone or something forcefully and decisively. In plain terms, to hit or beat decisively, to accidentally overwrite data, or (British slang) one's clothes and gear.

How do you pronounce “clobber”?

“Clobber” is pronounced KLOB-uh (/ˈklɑb.ɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “clobber” in a sentence?

Here is “clobber” used in a sentence: “The home team clobbered their rivals 6-0.”

What part of speech is “clobber”?

Depending on how it is used, “clobber” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “clobber” come from?

The word “clobber” dates back to around 1941. British slang first recorded around 1941, possibly imitating the sound of distant bombs during wartime.

How many meanings does “clobber” have?

“Clobber” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hit or defeat someone or something forcefully and decisively.

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