noun
Common
archer
AH-chuh
Archer (noun) means a person who shoots arrows from a bow. Example: “The archer hit the bullseye three times in a row.”
noun
1
A person who shoots arrows from a bow.
"The archer hit the bullseye three times in a row."
"The young archer pulled back the string and held her breath."
"Every archer in the club practises on Saturday mornings."
name
1
A common name for the constellation and zodiac sign Sagittarius, whose symbol is a centaur drawing a bow.
"She was born under the sign of the Archer."
How to use archer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who shoots a bow, or the zodiac sign Sagittarius.
Common pairings
skilled archer
mounted archer
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Word forms
- Plural
- archers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ hit the bullseye three times in a row.
Etymology
From Old French archier, from Vulgar Latin arcarius, from Latin arcus, "bow".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for archer
See all rhymes for archer →Frequently asked questions
What does “archer” mean?
The word “archer” means a person who shoots arrows from a bow. In plain terms, someone who shoots a bow, or the zodiac sign Sagittarius.
How do you pronounce “archer”?
“Archer” is pronounced AH-chuh (/ˈɑɹ.t͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “archer” in a sentence?
Here is “archer” used in a sentence: “The archer hit the bullseye three times in a row.”
What part of speech is “archer”?
Depending on how it is used, “archer” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “archer” come from?
The word “archer” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French archier, from Vulgar Latin arcarius, from Latin arcus, "bow".
Is “archer” a common word?
“Archer” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “archer” have?
“Archer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who shoots arrows from a bow.
What is the difference between an archer and a bowman?
Archer and bowman both describe a person who shoots arrows from a bow, and the two terms are essentially interchangeable. Bowman has a slightly older or more historical flavor, often appearing in descriptions of medieval warfare, while archer is the more common modern term, including in sports contexts.
Why is Sagittarius sometimes called the Archer?
Sagittarius is commonly called the Archer because its zodiac symbol is a centaur drawing a bow, representing the figure of an archer in the constellation's traditional imagery. This nickname is used interchangeably with the astrological name Sagittarius.
Is archer used for a modern sport as well as historical warfare?
Yes, archer describes both historical bow-and-arrow warriors and modern competitors in the sport of archery, including Olympic athletes. The word applies to anyone who shoots arrows from a bow, regardless of the era or purpose.
