comer

IPA/ˈkʌmə(r)/
KK[kˈʌmɚ]IPA/ˈkʌmər/

comer — noun

  • comersingular
  • comersplural

1. a person who appears at a particular location, gathering, or event, especially a

1.nounB2
Definition

a person who appears at a particular location, gathering, or event, especially after others have already arrived

Example

Diego was the first comer to the hiking group and helped carry the supplies.

collocation: first comer / early comer / late comer

The museum opens at nine, but early comers often line up before eight.

Common collocations
  • all comers
  • first comer
  • early comer
  • late comer
  • new comer
Synonyms
  • arrival

    more general; can refer to a person or thing that appears

  • visitor

    implies a short stay or a social call, not just arrival

  • attendee

    specifically someone present at an event or meeting

Antonyms
  • leaver

    someone who departs from a place

Grammar Patterns

comer + at [location/event]

first comer / late comer / new comer

Usage Note

Often used in the fixed phrase 'all comers' (everyone who arrives or takes part) or in compounds such as 'newcomer' and 'latecomer.' The standalone form is less common than these compounds.

Common Mistakes

He was a comer to the company last month.
He was a newcomer to the company last month.
'newcomer' is the standard compound for someone who has recently joined a group or place.

2. a person who shows strong ability or potential and seems certain to achieve succ

2.nounB2
Definition

a person who shows strong ability or potential and seems certain to achieve success in a chosen activity or field

Example

At just seventeen, the young pianist was already regarded as a comer in classical music.

pattern: comer in [field of activity]

Hana's innovative app caught investors' attention, marking her as a comer in the tech world.

Common collocations
  • young comer
  • real comer
  • up-and-comer
  • comer in [field]
Synonyms
  • up-and-comer

    the more common compound form, slightly more informal and active in tone

  • rising star

    a vivid metaphor; more dramatic and common in entertainment and politics

  • prospect

    more formal; frequently used in sports scouting and recruitment

Grammar Patterns

comer + in [field/activity]

a (young/real) comer

Usage Note

Very commonly appears as part of the compound 'up-and-comer.' The standalone form is more frequent in informal and journalistic writing than in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

The young singer is a comer star in pop music.
The young singer is a comer in pop music.
'comer' is a noun, not an adjective; do not use it to modify another noun.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Comer, up-and-comer, rising star, prospect, and talent all describe someone with future potential, but they differ in register and typical context. Comer is the most neutral and general, often appearing in business and sports journalism ('a comer in the tech world'). Up-and-comer is more colloquial and suggests someone actively progressing toward success. Rising star is a vivid metaphor most frequent in entertainment and politics ('a rising star in the Senate'). Prospect is more formal and commonly used in scouting and recruitment ('a top prospect for the draft'). Talent emphasizes natural ability rather than career trajectory ('a young talent with a great voice'). In everyday use, a business journalist might call an entrepreneur 'a comer in clean energy,' while a music critic would describe the same person as 'a rising star on the indie scene.'

up-and-comer ↗rising starprospect ↗talent ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • all comers

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Comer comes from Middle English 'comer,' which developed from Old English 'cumere' — a person who comes. The root is the Old English verb 'cuman' (to come), which traces back to the Proto-Germanic 'kwemaną' and ultimately to the Proto-Indo-European 'gʷem-' (to go, to come). Modern relatives include German 'kommen' and Dutch 'komen.'