hustler

[ huhs-ler ]

noun

1. an enterprising person determined to succeed; go-getter.
2. Slang. a person who employs fraudulent or unscrupulous methods to obtain money; swindler.
3. Informal. an expert gambler or game player who seeks out challengers, especially unsuspecting amateur ones, in order to win money from them:

   He earned his living as a pool hustler.

4. Slang. a prostitute.
5. a person who hustles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hustler¹

First recorded in 1815–25; hustle + -er ¹

Example Sentences

As hip-hop rose from the streets to the mainstream in the 90s, the rappers and hustlers that broke through had few role models who had trodden that path before them.

From BBC

So now I'm a writer and a hustler: coach, software entrepreneur, ghostwriter, teacher, juggler — my decision.

From Salon

Roberts dissolved into his character, a manipulative small-time hustler whose self-hatred metastasizes into murderous rage.

From Los Angeles Times

An interesting collection of white government officials, Black entrepreneurs, promoters and, frankly, out-and-out hustlers came together to put together this unsanctioned boxing match.

From Los Angeles Times

“We New Yorkers used to tolerate him when he was just another crappy real estate hustler masquerading as a big shot,” he said.

From Salon

Related Words

• call girl
• swindler
• whore