noun
Common
Sooner
Sooner (noun) means a native or resident of the US state of Oklahoma, or someone associated with the University of Oklahoma. Example: “The Sooners won their home game on Saturday.”
noun
1
A native or resident of the US state of Oklahoma, or someone associated with the University of Oklahoma.
"The Sooners won their home game on Saturday."
2
Historically, a settler who entered Oklahoma Territory to claim land before the official opening of the land rush, ahead of everyone else.
"The sooners staked their claims days before the legal start of the rush."
"Some skunk of a Sooner, sneaking in ahead of the Run, had set the blaze to keep the Boomers off, saving the land for himself."
— Edna Ferber, Cimarron (1930)
How to use Sooner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA nickname for people from Oklahoma, rooted in history about early land claimants.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Sooners
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The _____ won their home game on Saturday.
Etymology
From sooner (comparative of soon), because these settlers arrived "sooner" than the legally permitted date.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Sooner
See all rhymes for Sooner →Frequently asked questions
What does “Sooner” mean?
The word “Sooner” means a native or resident of the US state of Oklahoma, or someone associated with the University of Oklahoma. In plain terms, a nickname for people from Oklahoma, rooted in history about early land claimants.
How do you use “Sooner” in a sentence?
Here is “Sooner” used in a sentence: “The Sooners won their home game on Saturday.”
What is another word for “Sooner”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Sooner” include Okie and Oklahoman.
What part of speech is “Sooner”?
“Sooner” is a noun.
Is “Sooner” a common word?
“Sooner” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Sooner” have?
“Sooner” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a native or resident of the US state of Oklahoma, or someone associated with the University of Oklahoma.
Why are people from Oklahoma called Sooners?
The nickname comes from settlers who entered Oklahoma Territory sooner than the official land rush allowed, staking claims ahead of everyone else. The term later became a general name for Oklahomans and people linked to the University of Oklahoma.
Is Sooner always capitalised?
Yes. As the name for an Oklahoman or a member of the University of Oklahoma, Sooner is a proper noun and is always written with a capital S.
What are the Oklahoma Sooners?
The Sooners is the nickname of the University of Oklahoma's sports teams. It draws on the same historical settlers who claimed land before the territory officially opened.
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