sucker

UK: ˈsʌkə | US: ˈsʌkər

Definition

  1. n. 1. A person or thing that sucks, especially an organ or device (e.g., an octopus’s tentacle or a suction cup).

  2. n. 2. (Slang) A gullible or easily deceived person.

  3. n. 3. (Botany) A shoot growing from the base of a plant.

  4. vt. To deceive or trick someone (slang usage).

Structure
suck <to draw in by suction>er <agent noun suffix>
Etymology

The word "sucker" originates from the verb "suck," derived from Old English sūcan, meaning "to draw in by suction." The suffix "-er" denotes an agent or tool performing the action. Over time, "sucker" expanded metaphorically:

  1. Literal: Organs/devices that suck (e.g., an octopus’s suckers).
  2. Botanical: Shoots "drawing" nutrients from a plant’s base.
  3. Slang: A person who is "drawn in" by deception (early 19th-century American English).
Examples

  1. The octopus uses its suckers to grip rocks tightly.

  2. Don’t be a sucker—those emails are scams.

  3. The gardener removed the suckers from the tomato plant.

  4. He got suckered into buying a fake watch.

  5. The vacuum cleaner’s sucker attaches firmly to smooth surfaces.