banker

banker — noun

1. someone who runs a bank, helps lead it, or has ownership in it

1.nounB2
Definition

someone who runs a bank, helps lead it, or has ownership in it

Example

After business school, Elena became a banker in Hong Kong.

become a banker

The mayor asked local bankers to support the new market project.

plural: local bankers

Common collocations
  • senior banker
  • local banker
  • investment banker
  • banker checked the papers
  • work as a banker
Synonyms
  • financier

    broader and often linked with large money deals beyond banks

  • bank executive

    stresses a senior management position inside a bank

  • lender

    focuses on giving loans, not on leading or owning a bank

Grammar Patterns

work as a banker

become a banker

bankers support a project

Usage Note

Often suggests a senior or ownership role in a bank, not just any employee there. Common subjects include local bankers, senior bankers, and investment bankers.

Common Mistakes

My uncle works at a bank, so he is a banker.
My uncle works at a bank, but only senior staff are usually called bankers.
banker often suggests an important role, not any bank job.

2. a player chosen to handle the money in a game, taking it in and paying it out

2.nounB2
Definition

a player chosen to handle the money in a game, taking it in and paying it out

Example

In Monopoly, Luca was the banker and counted every note twice.

be the banker in a board game

When we played cards, Mei kept the coins as banker.

serve as banker

Common collocations
  • the banker pays
  • choose a banker
  • game banker
  • banker for the round
  • banker in Monopoly
Synonyms
  • treasurer

    a broader word for someone keeping money in a group or activity

  • dealer

    can be the same person in some games, but it mainly means the card giver

  • cashier

    used for shops or ticket desks, not usually for games

Grammar Patterns

be the banker

choose someone as banker

the banker pays the winner

Usage Note

Used for the player handling money in games such as card or board games. Distinguish from dealer, which usually refers to the person giving out cards.

Common Mistakes

Mia was the dealer, so she kept the game money.
Mia was the banker, so she kept the game money.
the dealer gives cards; the banker handles the money.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For sense 1, banker usually means someone in an important role at a bank, or someone who owns one. Financier is broader and often suggests a person involved in large business or investment deals, not only work inside a bank. Lender focuses on giving money to people or companies and can be a person, company, or bank. Loan officer is narrower than banker because it names a bank worker whose main job is handling loan cases. A local banker may advise town businesses, while a loan officer checks one family's application and a financier may back a major building project.

banker ↗financierlenderloan officer

Etymology

ItalianFrenchEnglish

Banker was formed in English from bank and the ending -er. The money sense of bank came into English through French and Italian words for a bench or counter, because money dealers once worked from a table like that. Banker then became the word for a person connected with that business.