What does bunter mean?
A bunter is, most commonly today, a baseball or softball player who bunts — that is, a batter who holds the bat loosely in the strike zone and deliberately lets the pitched ball rebound off it, producing a soft, short hit rather than a full swing. The tactic is usually strategic: a sacrifice bunt advances a baserunner, while a surprise drag bunt exploits defenders who are playing deep. Calling someone "a good bunter" is praise of finesse and speed over raw power, and the word carries a slightly old-fashioned, craft-oriented flavor typical of baseball vocabulary. Historically, the term could also denote a person who scavenges or pilfers small items, a now-obsolete sense tied to the verb "bunt" meaning to push or nudge. Outside of sports writing the word is rare, but within it remains a natural way to identify the specialist role a hitter plays on a given play.
nounA person who bunts; in baseball and softball, a batter who deliberately taps the ball softly with the bat without swinging.
- A baseball or softball player who bunts — deliberately tapping the pitched ball softly rather than swinging at it.
- (Archaic/rare) A person who scrounges, scavenges, or steals small items.
"The veteran catcher called for a squeeze play, trusting the bunter to lay down a perfect sacrifice."
"The manager pinch-hit a speedy bunter to move the runner into scoring position."
"As a young player she was known more as an agile bunter than as a power hitter."
Regular plural; used when referring to multiple players known for bunting.
"The team carried two reliable bunters on its bench for late-inning situations."
In baseball's early days, laying down a perfect bunt was considered an art form so prized that a skilled bunter could earn a starting spot over bigger hitters.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bunter
The word "bunter" derives from the English verb "to bunt," whose origin is uncertain but which has been used since the 19th century to mean pushing or striking with the head or, later in baseball, tapping the ball lightly. The agentive suffix -er forms "bunter," literally "one who bunts." It is unrelated etymologically to the German "Bunt" (colorful) found in geological terms like the Bunter sandstone, despite surface similarity.
Related word forms
How bunter is actually used
"Bunter" is chiefly used in baseball contexts and is relatively uncommon compared to "batter" or simply describing someone as good at bunting. The agentive suffix -er attaches directly to the verb "to bunt," so it is transparently derived and rarely appears outside sports commentary.
Easily confused with bunter
A hunter pursues game animals, while a bunter is someone who taps a ball softly in baseball (or, historically, one who scavenges or steals small items).
A punter kicks the ball high in American football or bets/gambles in British slang, whereas a bunter taps a ball gently with the bat.