prizefighter

noun

prize·​fight·​er ˈprīz-ˌfī-tər 

plural prizefighters

: a professional boxer who competes in matches for money prizes

Grandpa James himself was a prizefighter in Tampa before moving to Key West during the Depression … . Five years ago he coldcocked a 33-year-old man with a left hook.

—Rick Telander

Synonyms

• boxer
• fighter
• gladiator
• pug
• pugilist

Examples of prizefighter in a Sentence

a prizefighter who is generally acknowledged to be one of the ring's most dangerous men

Recent Examples on the Web

Rappers and prizefighters are two sides of the same coin, willing to stand toe-to-toe with an opponent, battling from the bottom to the top, and finding inspiration from larger-than-life figures. —Justin Koreis, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2024

Ford’s Lightning, which has now had two years to edge its way into the world of the electric-buying public, is a prizefighter of a machine, quick-as-lightning, brawny, handsome and worthy. —Josh Max, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

And with Sunday’s opener against the Tennessee Titans closing in, the Chicago Bears were exhibiting an itch to unleash their competitive eagerness, like a pack of prizefighters bouncing in the tunnel and awaiting the nod to stalk toward the ring. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2024

Berry acquired at least a few of her injuries while playing a prizefighter in the 2021 film, Bruised. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "person participating in a prize," from prise, price, prize "sporting contest usually between two opponents, as a fencing or wrestling match" (of uncertain origin) + fighter, after fight a prize "to enter into a duel or contest"; the initial element was later taken as prize entry 1

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above