Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for geezer

geezer

[ gee-zer ]

noun

, Slang.
  1. an odd or eccentric man:

    the old geezer who sells shoelaces on the corner.



geezer

/ ˈɡiːzə /

noun

  1. a man
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of geezer1

1880–85; variant of guiser ( guise (v.), -er 1 ), representing dial. pronunciation
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of geezer1

C19: probably from dialect pronunciation of guiser, from guise + -er 1
Discover More

Example Sentences

I believe the reason the party is so united, surprisingly enough, is because of Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the two old geezers everyone is determined to finally put out to pasture.

From Salon

Traditionally, older folks worried that young people were too promiscuous; now perhaps we geezers should fret about youthful celibacy.

And it doesn’t end when the little geezers turn 18 or graduate from college.

"He can tweak you emotionally in the scenes, he's got the macro and the micro, but most importantly he's a lovely geezer."

From BBC

A geezer with a baby who acts more like an employer.

From Salon

Advertisement

Related Words

Discover More

About This Word

What does geezer mean?

Geezer is a mildly negative slang term for a man, especially an older man who’s considered odd in some way.

In American slang, geezer almost always refers to an older man and is especially used in the phrase old geezer. 

In British slang, geezer just refers to any man.

In both cases, though, the term is used in a mildly insulting, dismissive way.

Example: There’s always some old geezer standing on that street corner handing out weird pamphlets.

Where does geezer come from?

The first records of geezer come from around the 1880s. It comes from the word guiser, which refers to a person who performs in a costume (a guise), such as in a street parade.

Geezer originated as a term for a man, much like the words chap and fellow, or their modern equivalents, dude and guy. Like these last two words, it can be used in a dismissive way. More often than not, it refers to an older man, especially one who’s treated dismissively because he’s a bit eccentric. Kids might call the stereotypical old man yelling at them to get off his lawn a geezer. Appearance is often a factor, too. An older man whose appearance is a bit shabby is probably more likely to get labeled an old geezer than a well-groomed and gentlemanly professor type. In any case, the word is used as a casual insult. Some men might even apply it to themselves, as in Old geezers like me just want to go fishing and have some peace and quiet.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for geezer?

  • old guy

What are some words that share a root or word element with geezer

 

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing geezer?

 

How is geezer used in real life?

Geezer is often used in a mildly negative way, and it’s most often applied to older men. Some people apply it to themselves in a self-deprecating way.

 

 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


geezahgefilte fish