racer

Everyday

1. A person, animal or machine that takes part in races: «a racing car driver is a racer». tree →
2. A car, bike, boat or horse built or trained for racing: «a racer bike». tree →
3. (US) A kind of fast snake, like the black racer. tree →

In the lessons

In sport and stories it names competitors in races; in everyday life it can be a toy or a bike. In science, some animals are named racers because they move fast. Phrases: «a fast racer», «a cycle racer», «racer bike», «go-kart racer».

Examples

• The racers lined up at the starting line. tree →
• Lewis Hamilton is a famous racing car racer. tree →
• My brother got a red racer bike for his birthday. tree →
• The snail was the slowest racer in our garden race. tree →
• The black racer is a fast, harmless snake in North America. tree →
• Each racer must wear a helmet. tree →
• “Go,” said Fionn to a hawk-eyed man, “go to the top of this hill and watch for the coming of the racers.” tree →

Note

Countable: racer, racers. Related: race, racing. Careful: «racer» (someone who races) has nothing to do with «racist» or «race» meaning a group of people.