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.

99 / 113
noun

trailer

A vehicle pulled by another vehicle.

The pickup pulls a trailer loaded with camping gear.

Etymology

A trailer is named for following behind. The vehicle is drawn along by another vehicle rather than providing its own propulsion.

More examples

  • We rent a trailer to move our furniture.
  • She checks the hitch before towing the boat trailer.
  • Workers unload two trailers behind the warehouse.

Forms

trailer · trailers

Similar words

semitrailer
A trailer whose front weight rests on the towing truck.
wagon
Usually a four-wheeled vehicle pulled by animals or a tractor.