Definition

Noun: A professional killer who uses a gun, especially one in the American Old West known for being quick and skilled with a pistol.

Usage

The term "gunslinger" specifically refers to a person, historically a figure from the frontier period of the American West, whose profession or notorious skill involves using firearms, typically handguns, to kill. It carries connotations of a lawless or violent lifestyle.

Examples

• The town sheriff was wary of the new gunslinger who rode in at dusk.
• In many Western films, the lone gunslinger seeks redemption for his violent past.
• Historical accounts often romanticize the life of a gunslinger, though it was usually short and brutal.

Advanced Usage

• "gunslinger mentality": A modern, figurative use describing an aggressive, risk-taking, or confrontational attitude in business, sports, or other competitive fields.
  • The CEO was known for his gunslinger mentality when negotiating deals.

Variants and Related Words

• Gunfighter (n): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "gunslinger."
• Gunman (n): A more general term for a man who uses a gun, especially to commit a crime.
• Shootist (n): A somewhat archaic or literary term for a skilled shooter or gunfighter.

Synonyms

• Gunfighter
• Pistolero
• Hired gun
• Assassin (though this is more general and not specific to the Western context)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Quick on the draw": While not exclusive to "gunslinger," this idiom describes the essential skill of a gunslinger—being fast at pulling a gun from its holster. It is now used more broadly to mean quick to react.
  • In debates, she's always quick on the draw with a counter-argument.

Noun

1. a professional killer who uses a gun