Meaning & use
sluggers
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“sluggers” is a form of “slugger”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralinformalsport
In baseball, players who hit the ball very hard and often hit home runs.
Grammar: Countable noun; singular is 'slugger', plural adds -s.
Patterns
- a powerful slugger
- the team's sluggers
The Yankees have several sluggers in their lineup.
The sluggers hit three home runs in the first inning.
Fans love watching sluggers like Aaron Judge.
nounpluralinformal
People who hit others hard, especially in boxing or as bullies.
Grammar: Countable noun; singular 'slugger'.
Patterns
- a big slugger
- sluggers in a fight
The boxer was known as one of the hardest sluggers in the division.
The gang of sluggers was arrested after the brawl.
Word forms
| singular | slugger |
|---|
Common combinations
- home run slugger
- He is the team's best home run slugger.
- power slugger
- The power slugger hit the ball out of the park.
- lineup of sluggers
- The coach built a lineup of sluggers.
- designated hitter slugger
- The designated hitter slugger won the game.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hitter
- A more general term for any player who hits; 'slugger' specifically implies great power.
- batter
- The standard term for the player at bat; 'slugger' adds the idea of hitting hard.
Word family
- slug verb
- To hit someone or something hard.
- slugging noun
- The act of hitting hard, often in baseball (slugging percentage).
Commonly confused: sluggers or sluggard?
sluggers vs sluggard
A sluggard is a lazy person; a slugger hits hard.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'sluggers' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Sluggers are known for hitting home runs, so 'hit three home runs' is correct. Pitching, catching, and stealing bases are done by other types of players.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sluggers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.