sucker

Everyday

1. A sucker is a part of an animal that can stick to things by suction, like the round pads on an octopus's arms. tree →
2. A sucker is also a rubber cup that sticks to smooth surfaces when you press it. tree →
3. (informal) A sucker is a person who is easily tricked: «Ha, sucker!» tree →
4. (informal) To be a sucker for something is to like it so much you cannot resist it: I'm a sucker for chocolate. tree →
5. A sucker is also a new shoot growing from the root of a plant, and (US) a lollipop. tree →
6. A sapsucker is a woodpecker that drills holes in tree bark to drink the sap. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, octopuses and squid use suckers to grip and taste; leeches use suckers to feed; some plants spread by suckers. In design and technology, suction cups (suckers) hold things to windows. In everyday and playground talk, calling someone a «sucker» is teasing or mocking. Phrases: «octopus suckers», «a sucker for», «suckered into», «sucker punch» (a sneaky hit).

Examples

• An octopus has two rows of suckers on each arm. tree →
• The sucker holds the toy to the window. tree →
• (informal) I'm a sucker for funny cat videos. tree →
• (informal) He was suckered into paying for everyone's chips. tree →
• (informal) "Made you look, sucker!" tree →
• Cut off the suckers so the tomato plant grows strong. tree →
• (US) The dentist gave me a sugar-free sucker. tree →

Note

Plural «suckers». Calling someone «sucker» is rude teasing. In science, «suction cup» is the more formal name for the rubber kind.