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noun

rower

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Rower (noun) means someone who rows, especially a boat. Example: “She is a strong rower and trains on the river most mornings.”

noun
1
Someone who rows, especially a boat.
"She is a strong rower and trains on the river most mornings."
"The rowers pulled together to keep the boat on course."
"He has been a competitive rower since school."
2
A machine used for indoor exercise that mimics the action of rowing a boat.
"He bought a rower for his home gym."
"The gym has several rowers lined up along the far wall."
"She warms up on the rower before lifting weights."

How to use rower

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who rows, or a machine you row on at the gym.

When to use it

It's a plain, everyday word with no formal or informal marking.

Memory tip

Stress the first syllable, so it rhymes with 'grower' or 'slower'.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
competitive rower novice rower use the rower
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She is a strong _____ and trains on the river most mornings.

Etymology

Rower comes from Middle English forms such as rower, rowere and roware, built from the verb row plus the agent-forming suffix -er. Related words for a rower turn up in Dutch, Danish and Norwegian, and an older equivalent, rōwend, existed in Old English.

Origin: Middle English

oarsman

Rhymes for rower

See all rhymes for rower →

Frequently asked questions

What does rower mean?
A rower is a person who rows a boat, or an exercise machine built to copy that rowing motion.
Is a rower a person or a machine?
It can be either: rower describes both someone who rows and the gym machine used to simulate rowing.
Where does the word rower come from?
It comes from Middle English, formed from row plus the suffix -er, meaning 'one who rows'.
What is the meaning of rower?
"rower" (noun) means someone who rows, especially a boat.