sucker
sucker — noun
- suckersingular
- suckersplural
1. a part of certain animals — for example, an octopus or a leech — used for holdin
a part of certain animals — for example, an octopus or a leech — used for holding onto surfaces or drawing in liquid food
The octopus uses the suckers on its arms to grip onto rocks and catch crabs.
uses suckers to grip + catch
A leech attaches itself to the skin with its sucker and feeds on blood.
The lamprey's mouth forms a round sucker that holds tight to other fish.
The rows of tiny suckers along a starfish's legs can create enough suction force to pry open a clam.
- adhesive organ
more formal; used in scientific writing rather than everyday language
文法句型
a sucker
the sucker of [animal]
用法筆記
Frequently used with a possessive or of-phrase to specify which animal (the sucker of a leech, the octopus's suckers).
2. a small round piece of rubber or soft plastic that presses against a flat surfac
a small round piece of rubber or soft plastic that presses against a flat surface and stays there by suction, used for hanging items or as part of a toy
Bao pressed the rubber sucker firmly onto the bathroom wall to hold the soap dish.
rubber sucker pressed onto surface
The toy dart has a small sucker at its tip so it sticks to windows.
Asher hung the shower caddy by its sucker on the tiled wall.
Sade stuck a small plastic hook with a sucker onto the window to hold her fairy lights.
- suction cup
the standard formal term; sucker is the informal version
文法句型
a sucker
rubber sucker
用法筆記
The formal term is suction cup. Sucker for this sense is mainly used in everyday conversation and by children.
3. an extra shoot that appears at the base of a plant and draws nutrients from its
an extra shoot that appears at the base of a plant and draws nutrients from its roots, often weakening the main plant
The gardener cut away the suckers from the rose bush's roots to keep the plant healthy.
cut away suckers from roots
If you leave the suckers on the apple tree, they steal nutrients from the main trunk.
Saira noticed several thin suckers sprouting around the base of the old oak tree.
Bamboo plants spread quickly through underground suckers that form new stems each year.
文法句型
a sucker
suckers grow from [root/stem]
用法筆記
Gardeners typically remove suckers because they reduce the main plant's growth and fruit production. The term is most common in horticulture and gardening contexts.
常見錯誤
4. someone who trusts others too easily and is therefore simple to cheat, deceive,
someone who trusts others too easily and is therefore simple to cheat, deceive, or take advantage of
The salesman saw Paul was a sucker and sold him a broken watch for twice its value.
Anya felt like a sucker after giving cash to a fake charity collector on the street.
felt like a sucker after [event]
Online scammers look for suckers who believe get-rich-quick promises without checking the facts.
Defne warned her brother not to be a sucker — read the contract before signing it.
- skeptic
a person who questions things rather than believing them easily
文法句型
a sucker
be a sucker
feel like a sucker
用法筆記
Very common in informal American English. The word is mildly insulting — calling someone a sucker implies they are naive or lack good judgment. Used more in speech than in writing.
常見錯誤
5. a person who has an extremely strong liking for a specific thing and always give
a person who has an extremely strong liking for a specific thing and always gives in to it without thinking carefully
Minh is a sucker for romantic comedies and watches every new one that comes out.
sucker for + [thing]
My dad is a sucker for homemade cookies and never says no when I bake.
Benjamin is a sucker for sad animal stories and tears up at every video.
Saira is a sucker for baby animals and adopted three kittens from the shelter last year.
- soft spot for
less intense than 'sucker for'; suggests mild fondness rather than irresistible attraction
- can't resist
a verb phrase with very similar meaning; 'I can't resist chocolate' ≈ 'I'm a sucker for chocolate'
- indifferent to
having no strong feeling one way or the other
文法句型
a sucker for [noun phrase]
用法筆記
This sense always takes the pattern 'a sucker for + [something]'. Without 'for', the meaning shifts to the 'gullible person' sense (sense 4). The phrase carries a light, self-deprecating tone — people often use it about themselves.
常見錯誤
6. an informal word for a person or object that you find irritating, hard to handle
an informal word for a person or object that you find irritating, hard to handle, or unpleasant in some way
I cannot get this sucker of a screw loose no matter how hard I try.
sucker of a [noun] for emphasis
The car ran fine yesterday, but this morning the sucker just would not start.
Some sucker in a red pickup truck cut me off on the freeway this afternoon.
I spent all morning fixing that old printer, and the sucker broke down again after three pages.
文法句型
a sucker
this sucker
the sucker
sucker of a [noun]
用法筆記
When used about a person, this sense is dismissive and moderately rude — like saying 'jerk' or 'idiot'. When used about an object, it is more like mild frustration ('that stupid thing'). Not appropriate in formal or polite contexts.
7. a hard piece of candy that is attached to the end of a small stick and eaten by
a hard piece of candy that is attached to the end of a small stick and eaten by licking
The children each picked a rainbow-coloured sucker from the jar at the candy shop.
Caio sucked on a cherry sucker while walking home from school.
cherry sucker (flavour + type)
The bank teller gave Benjamin a small orange sucker after his mother finished her business.
The toddler walked around the park happily with a blue sucker in his mouth.
- lollipop
the standard term in both American and British English; sucker is informal and mainly American
文法句型
a sucker
用法筆記
This sense is mainly American. In British English, 'lollipop' is the standard word; 'sucker' for candy on a stick is rarely used.