Meaning & Definition of word "Butcher"

Butcher

/ˈbʊtʃər/

noun:

  • 1. a person who sells meat.
    • Example: I stopped by the butcher to buy some steak for dinner.
  • 2. a person who prepares animal carcasses for consumption.
    • Example: The butcher skillfully cut the lamb into various cuts.
  • 3. a brutal or merciless killer.
    • Example: The novel painted the villain as a butcher who had no regard for human life.

verb:

  • 1. to kill or slaughter animals for food.
    • Example: They butcher their own pigs every fall to prepare for winter.
  • 2. to ruin or damage something badly.
    • Example: He really butchered the project with his poor execution.
  • 3. to perform poorly in some activity, especially in a way that causes injury or disruption.
    • Example: She butchered the song during karaoke, but everyone cheered her on anyway.

Etymology

Middle English butcher, from Old French boucher, from bous, meaning 'goat'

Common Phrases and Expressions

butcher's bill:

the cost of war in terms of life lost

butcher someone's character:

to speak very negatively about someone

to butcher a language:

to speak or write a language poorly

Related Words

slaughterhouse:

A place where animals are killed for meat.

charcuterie:

A branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products.

meatpacking:

The process of preparing and packaging meat for sale.

Slang Meanings of butcher

Meaning: To completely ruin or mess up something.

Example Sentence: He really butchered that math test.

Meaning: To act in a violent or aggressive manner.

Example Sentence: They went in and butchered the competition.