noun
hater
HAY-tuh
Hater (noun) means someone who hates or strongly dislikes something. Example: “He's not a hater of the sport itself, just of how it's run.”
noun
1
Someone who hates or strongly dislikes something.
"He's not a hater of the sport itself, just of how it's run."
"The novel found few haters among critics."
2
Someone who criticises or puts others down, often out of jealousy rather than genuine reason.
"Ignore the haters and keep posting your work."
"She brushed off the comments, calling the posters haters."
How to use hater
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person who hates something, or in slang, someone who constantly criticises others out of envy.
When to use it
The "jealous critic" sense is informal, popularised through hip-hop and internet slang from the 1990s onward.
Common pairings
ignore the haters
a hater of
gonna hate (haters gonna hate)
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Word forms
- Plural
- haters
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's not a _____ of the sport itself, just of how it's run.
Etymology
From Old English roots meaning "one who hates" — hate plus the agent suffix -er, the same pattern as "singer" from "sing."
Synonyms
View more →
despiser
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hater
See all rhymes for hater →Frequently asked questions
What does “hater” mean?
The word “hater” means someone who hates or strongly dislikes something. In plain terms, a person who hates something, or in slang, someone who constantly criticises others out of envy.
How do you pronounce “hater”?
“Hater” is pronounced HAY-tuh (/ˈheɪtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hater” in a sentence?
Here is “hater” used in a sentence: “He's not a hater of the sport itself, just of how it's run.”
What is another word for “hater”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hater” include despiser.
What is the opposite of “hater”?
The opposite of “hater” — its antonyms — are lover and fan.
What part of speech is “hater”?
“Hater” is a noun.
Where does the word “hater” come from?
The word “hater” comes from Old English. From Old English roots meaning "one who hates" — hate plus the agent suffix -er, the same pattern as "singer" from "sing.".
How many meanings does “hater” have?
“Hater” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who hates or strongly dislikes something.
