What does hogger mean?
A hogger is an informal noun for someone who takes an unfair or excessive share of attention, space, time, or resources. In expressions such as attention hogger, the criticism usually concerns not merely enthusiasm or confidence but a willingness to dominate and prevent others from participating. The word can describe a person who monopolizes a conversation, occupies too much space, consumes more than their fair share of resources, or receives disproportionate attention. It is generally negative rather than neutral and is common in both British and American informal English. The addition of the suffix -er to hog makes it a label for the person responsible for the hogging. Thus, calling someone a hogger suggests active and often inconsiderate behaviour, especially social rudeness or selfishness. It is a useful, blunt term when describing someone who has crowded others out of a shared conversation, opportunity, or space.
nounAn informal term for a person who takes an unfair or excessive share of attention, space, time, or resources, thereby limiting what others can have.
- A person who monopolizes attention, conversation, space, time, or other resources, especially at the expense of others.
"His brother was always an attention hogger whenever guests came to visit."
"She accused the presenter of being an attention hogger."
"A few space hoggers had filled nearly the entire front row."
The regular plural is used for multiple people who monopolize attention, space, time, or resources.
"Several hoggers dominated the panel without allowing the other guests to speak."
A hogger takes the spotlight—and leaves everyone else in the dark.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hogger come from?
Hogger was formed in modern English by adding the agentive suffix -er to hog in its figurative sense of taking or monopolizing more than one’s fair share. The base word is Middle English hogge, from Old English hogg, originally referring to the animal. In English, hog developed a figurative sense of selfish or excessive consumption, and the derived form hogger came to designate the person doing that.
How hogger is actually used
This is an informal and usually dismissive word. It is more than a neutral description of someone who talks loudly or takes up room, because it implies that the person is unfairly preventing others from participating.
Easily confused with hogger
A hog is the animal or the base verb meaning to monopolize something, whereas a hogger is specifically a person who does so.