noun
Gunner
GUHN-uh
noun
1
A soldier who operates artillery or a mounted gun.
"He served as a gunner on a tank crew during the war."
2
A person who operates any kind of gun or gun-like tool.
"The gunner on the fishing boat fired the harpoon."
3
Informal: an extremely ambitious or overeager person.
"He's a total gunner, always the first to volunteer for extra work."
4
A supporter or player of Arsenal Football Club, whose nickname is "the Gunners".
"Thousands of gunners packed the stadium for the derby."
How to Use Gunner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who operates a gun (especially in the military) — or, informally, an overly ambitious go-getter, or an Arsenal fan.
When to use it
The "overeager person" sense is informal slang, common in student and workplace settings.
Word Forms
Gunners plural, gunners plural, gunners plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “Gunner”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He served as a _____ on a tank crew during the war.
Etymology
From gun, referring to someone who operates one.