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Synonyms

rattler

American  
[rat-ler] / ˈræt lər /

noun

  1. a rattlesnake.

  2. a person or thing that rattles. rattle.

  3. Informal. a fast freight train.


rattler British  
/ ˈrætlə /

noun

  1. something that rattles

  2. an informal name for rattlesnake

"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

Etymology

Origin of rattler

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; rattle 1, -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The first rattler occurred at a depth of 3.4 miles, and the largest quake was shallower, at 0.1 miles.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2024

Speaking of summer heat, a sweaty, off-the-deep-end Al Pacino generates plenty of his own in this nerve rattler from Sidney Lumet.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2023

On more than one occasion he's found himself under a house or a trailer in the wee hours of darkness tracking down a copperhead or rattler that needs to be moved.

From Scientific American • Sep. 18, 2022

As Mr. Martin’s reputation as a timber rattler expert grew, he was consulted by museums, universities and other groups around the world.

From Washington Post • Aug. 10, 2022

Once I traveled about in an old bakery wagon, double-doored rattler with a mattress on its floor.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck