DictionaryRoot: -er
English

-er

a person or thing that does something

Forms

  • -er
  • -r — Used after some bases ending in e.

Origin

Old English -ere, generally traced through Germanic to Latin -arius.

Note

It can name a tool as readily as a person. The comparison ending in taller has a different history.

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noun

freezer

An appliance or compartment that keeps food frozen.

The freezer keeps our vegetables frozen for several months.

Etymology

The instrument ending names a device that freezes. The appliance keeps its contents at temperatures low enough for them to remain frozen.

More examples

  • Put the ice cream back in the freezer.
  • Our refrigerator has a small freezer at the top.
  • The store sells upright freezers with adjustable shelves.

Forms

freezer · freezers

freeze verb — To make or become solid through cooling.

Similar words

deep freezer
Usually a separate appliance for storing food long term.