butcher
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈbʊtʃər/
KK: /ˈbʊtʃər/
noun
Definition
A person who sells meat or prepares animals for food by killing and dressing them.
Example
The butcher at the market always has the freshest cuts of meat.
Conversation
I just visited the new market downtown and saw a great butcher there.
Oh really? Did you try any of their meats?
Yes! They had some amazing sausages from the butcher that I couldn't resist.
Sounds delicious! I'll have to check it out this weekend.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
meatman
slaughterer
vendor
Antonyms
vegetarian
herbivore
consumer
transitive verb
Definition
To kill or prepare animals for food, often in a rough or careless way.
Example
The chef decided to butcher the chicken himself for the special dish.
Tense Forms
Past: butchered
Past Participle: butchered
Conversation
Did you hear how they butcher that project presentation last week?
Yeah, it was a mess! I couldn't believe how unprepared they seemed.
I know, right? They really butchered the main points they were supposed to cover.
Root Explanation
Butcher originates from Old French *bouchier* (meaning a person who slaughters animals for meat), which is derived from *bouche* (meaning mouth). The word refers to someone who prepares meat for consumption, as it involves the act of cutting and processing animals.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'bouche' meaning 'mouth' — a butcher is someone who prepares meat that eventually goes into our mouths.
Visually Confused Words
putcher
hutcher
dutcher
cutcher
buncher
boucher
botcher
blucher