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noun

rattler

RA-tuh-luh

Rattler (noun) means informal American term for a rattlesnake. Example: “He spotted a rattler sunning itself on the trail.”

noun
1
Informal American term for a rattlesnake.
"He spotted a rattler sunning itself on the trail."
2
British informal term for a train, especially a shabby or noisy one.
"They caught the last rattler home from the city."

How to use rattler

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsually short for "rattlesnake" in American English; in British slang it can also mean a train.

UK vs US

The "train" sense is chiefly British; Americans will almost always read "rattler" as a rattlesnake.

Word forms

rattlers plural, Rattlers plural

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Test yourself on “rattler” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He spotted a _____ sunning itself on the trail.

rattlesnake freight train

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “rattler” mean?

The word “rattler” means informal American term for a rattlesnake. In plain terms, usually short for "rattlesnake" in American English; in British slang it can also mean a train.

How do you pronounce “rattler”?

“Rattler” is pronounced RA-tuh-luh (/ˈɹætələ(ɹ)/ in IPA).

How do you use “rattler” in a sentence?

Here is “rattler” used in a sentence: “He spotted a rattler sunning itself on the trail.”

What part of speech is “rattler”?

“Rattler” is a noun.

How many meanings does “rattler” have?

“Rattler” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal American term for a rattlesnake.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial