Definition

A person or machine that creates buttonholes, which are small openings in fabric for buttons to pass through.

Example

The tailor used a buttonholer to quickly make buttonholes on the new shirt.

Conversation

I just bought this new sewing machine, and it has a built-in buttonholer.

That's awesome! It must make things so much easier for you.

Yeah, I can't wait to try it out and see how well the buttonholer works.

Let me know how it goes; I might get one too if it's really good!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Buttonholer → It is formed from "button" (from Old French *bouton*, meaning a small knob or button) and "-holer" (from "hole" with the suffix "-er" indicating a person who does something). A buttonholer is a person who makes or works with buttonholes, specifically in sewing or tailoring.

Memory Tip

Think of a person who creates 'holes' for 'buttons' — that's what a buttonholer does.

Visually Confused Words