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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

singer

Someone who sings, especially as a performer.

The singer steps up to the microphone and begins her song.

Etymology
singOld Englishto sing
+erEnglisha person or thing that does something

The old singing verb takes the agent ending -er. The result names the person producing song, especially as a practiced performer.

More examples

  • My brother is a good singer but rarely performs in public.
  • The band's lead singer also plays guitar.
  • The choir welcomes singers of all skill levels.

Forms

singer · singers

sing verb — To produce musical sounds with the voice.

Similar words

vocalist
Usually refers to someone performing vocal music, especially professionally.
chorister
Specifically a singer who performs as part of a choir.