batter
BA-tuh
Batter (verb) means to hit something or someone repeatedly and violently. Example: “Waves battered the small boat throughout the night.”
verb
1
To hit something or someone repeatedly and violently.
"Waves battered the small boat throughout the night."
"He was battered by criticism after the decision."
noun
1
A liquid mixture of flour, egg, and milk used in baking or to coat food before frying.
"She whisked up a batter for the pancakes."
2
In cricket or baseball, the player at bat.
"The batter stepped up to the plate."
How to use batter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo strike repeatedly and hard, the flour-and-egg mixture used in cooking, or the player currently hitting in cricket/baseball.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "batter" (the cooking mixture, or repeated striking) with "battery" (an unlawful physical attack in legal terms, or the power source).
Common pairings
battered by storms
pancake batter
battered fish
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Word forms
- Plural
- batters
- Third person singular
- batters
- Past tense
- battered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Waves _____ the small boat throughout the night.
Etymology
From Middle English batteren, a repeated-action form of "bat" — literally "to keep hitting."
Related words
Rhymes for batter
See all rhymes for batter →Frequently asked questions
What does “batter” mean?
The word “batter” means to hit something or someone repeatedly and violently. In plain terms, to strike repeatedly and hard, the flour-and-egg mixture used in cooking, or the player currently hitting in cricket/baseball.
How do you pronounce “batter”?
“Batter” is pronounced BA-tuh (/ˈbætɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “batter” in a sentence?
Here is “batter” used in a sentence: “Waves battered the small boat throughout the night.”
What is another word for “batter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “batter” include batsman.
What part of speech is “batter”?
Depending on how it is used, “batter” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “batter” come from?
The word “batter” comes from Middle English. From Middle English batteren, a repeated-action form of "bat" — literally "to keep hitting.".
Is “batter” a common word?
“Batter” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “batter” have?
“Batter” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hit something or someone repeatedly and violently.
What is the difference between "batter" and "battery" as related words?
The verb "batter," meaning to hit something or someone repeatedly and violently, is closely related to "battery," the legal term for unlawfully striking or touching someone. Both words share the same underlying sense of physical striking.
What is the difference between a "batter" and a "batsman"?
In cricket, "batsman" is the traditional term for the player at bat, while "batter" is increasingly used as a gender-neutral alternative in cricket and is the standard term in baseball. Both refer to the same role: the player facing the bowler or pitcher.
What is the difference between batter and dough?
Batter is a liquid or semi-liquid mixture of flour, egg, and milk used for baking or coating food before frying, while dough is a thicker, firmer mixture that can be kneaded or shaped by hand. Batter is poured or spread, whereas dough holds its shape.
Why is "batter" used for both baking and hitting someone?
These are separate senses of the same word: one describes a liquid cooking mixture, and the other describes striking something repeatedly. Context makes clear which sense is intended, whether in a kitchen or describing an act of violence.
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