kicker

noun

kick·​er ˈki-kər 

1

: one that kicks or kicks something

2

: an unexpected and surprising remark, revelation, or set of circumstances

Examples of kicker in a Sentence

The real kicker came when the chairman announced that he was quitting.

Recent Examples on the Web

When the spring window opened, Maryland bade farewell to 10 more players, including two starting linebackers in juniors Caleb Wheatland (Auburn) and Kellan Wyatt (Indiana), three offensive linemen who saw action last year and a kicker. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2025

Hale technically is for McManus, but the Australian holds the International Player Pathway program roster exemption and isn’t legitimate competition for a kicker who earned a second contract with the Packers after his strong audition last season. —Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

But Morgan made clear that the team is likely to add another kicker to the roster to compete during the team’s offseason program. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025

But the real kicker comes when one of the passengers, Sky Silvestry (Lesley Sharp), starts to behave in an extremely odd manner, possessed by an unseen alien entity. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for kicker

• bicker
• dicker
• flicker
• liquor
• picker
• quicker
• ricker
• sicker
• slicker
• snicker
• sticker
• thicker