winner English · revision 2914

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1352|origins=en win}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈwɪn.ə/, US /ˈwɪn.ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an agent noun formed from [[win]] and the suffix [[-er]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who gains something by effort, especially one who earns a living: 1352 in the OED.^(OED 1989) Etymonline dates the sense “one who earns or produces wealth” to the late 14th century, and finds the word as a surname about 1200.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An unscrupulous profiteer was a ''winner'' in the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline) One who triumphs in a contest or game is from the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) 1456 in the OED.^(OED 1989) A horse or competitor expected to win, and anything sure of success, are later senses.^(AHD) ''Winner-take-all'' is attested from 1901^(Etymonline) and in the OED from 1969.^(OED 1989) In Scottish curling the ''winner'' is the stone nearest the tee.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – as a surname.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1352 – one who gains something.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1456 – the victor in a contest.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-15th century – a profiteer.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1901 – ''winner-take-all''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person, team or animal that wins a [[contest]] or race.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(informal)'' Someone or something that is very successful or likely to succeed.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A [[goal]] or point that decides a game.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[breadwinner]]

+ * [[cowinner]]

+ * [[nonwinner]]

+ * [[prizewinner]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[win]]

+ * [[winning]]

+ * [[loser]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}