macher means an important person, often in the negative sense of self-important; a bigwig. It carries an Arena rating of 1630, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, macher ranks #295 of 13,220 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #593 of 13,220 for Funniest Words, #1,680 of 13,220 for Most Malleable Words, #2,429 of 13,220 for Most Incisive Words.
macher is pronounced /ˈmɑxəɹ/.
Why “macher” is a great word
An influential person, often with a self-important air, who gets things done through a blend of hustle, informal connections, and hands-on action. From Yiddish *makher*, literally "one who makes," from *makhn* ("to make"), cognate with English *maker* and German *Macher*. Unlike a "bigwig," whose authority flows from a formal title, or a mere "operator," who schemes for purely personal gain, a *macher* operates in the fertile, networked soil of community. He is the man at the diner with three phones on the table, the one who knows a guy to get the permits pushed through, the fixer whose clout is measured in favors granted. His presence is a testament to the quiet, greased machinery of human networks, both oiling its wheels and claiming a percentage of the action.
Etymology
From Yiddish מאַכער (makher, “influential person”, literally “one who makes”) from מאַכן (makhn, “to make”). Cognate, naturally, to English maker and German Macher.
noun
- An important person, often in the negative sense of self-important; a bigwig.“An ordinary man doesn’t jump the Snake River Canyon / with nothing underneath his ass / but a two-wheeled, fin-stabilised X-1 Skycycle / and a seven-figure guarantee from some macher in LA.”
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- kingmake 81% match — To use one's influence to help someone else into a position of political power. vs macher →
- magnate 81% match — Powerful industrialist; captain of industry. vs macher →
- kvetcher 80% match — A person who kvetches; a complainer, kvetch. vs macher →
- meddler 80% match — One who meddles or interferes in something not of their concern. vs macher →
- queenmaker 80% match — Someone who has strong influence over the choice of a female leader. vs macher →
- mensch 80% match — A person (chiefly male) of strength, integrity, and honor or compassion; a gentleman. vs macher →
- warmaker 80% match — One who wages war. vs macher →
- schmooze 80% match — To talk casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection. vs macher →