-er1
/ə/suffix
1Denoting a person or thing that performs a specified action or activity: farmer sprinkler
2Denoting a person or thing that has a specified attribute or form: foreigner two-wheeler
3Denoting a person concerned with a specified thing or subject: milliner philosopher
4Denoting a person belonging to a specified place or group: city-dweller New Yorker
Origin
Old English -ere, of Germanic origin.
-er2
/ə/suffix
Forming the comparative of adjectives (as in bigger) and adverbs (as in faster).
Origin
Old English suffix -ra (adjectival), -or (adverbial), of Germanic origin.
-er3
/ə/suffix
Forming frequentative verbs such as glimmer, patter.
Origin
Old English -erian, -rian, of Germanic origin.
-er4
/ə/suffix
Forming nouns used informally, usually by distortion of the root word: footer rugger
Origin
Probably an extended use of -er1; originally Rugby School slang, later adopted at Oxford University, then extended into general use.
-er5
/ə/suffix
Forming nouns:
1Such as sampler. Compare with -ar1.
Ending corresponding to Latin -aris
1.1Such as butler, danger.
Ending corresponding to Latin -arius, -arium
1.2Such as border.
Ending corresponding (via Old French -eure) to Latin -atura
1.3Such as laver. See laver2.
Ending corresponding (via Old French -eor) to Latin -atorium
2Equivalent to -or1.
Origin
Via Old French or Anglo-Norman French (see above).
-er6
/ə/suffix chiefly Law
(Forming nouns) denoting verbal action or a document effecting such action: disclaimer misnomer
Origin
From Anglo-Norman French (infinitive ending).