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.
"You watch your step walking out there on the mesa, because in warmer season, the rattlers are up and about, and it's their turf."
— Kay Whitlock, Letter from Colorado (1989)
"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 notesIn 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.
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Word forms
- Plural
- rattlers
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He spotted a _____ sunning itself on the trail.
Synonyms
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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.
