goer

Noun

goer (plural goers)

1. One who, or that which, goes.
   • Such a man
     Might be a copy to these younger times;
     Which, follow’d well, would demonstrate them now
     But goers backward.c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
   • Lord John has been all day in his inner library. His antechamber has been filled with comers and goers, some talking in knots, some writing notes at tables.1845, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Letter to Hannah Macaulay dated 19 December, 1845 in G. Otto Trevelyan (ed.), The Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay, New York: Harper, 1875, Volume 2, p. 149
2. (informal) Anything, especially a machine such as a motor car, that performs well, or operates successfully.
   • I bought her secondhand, but she's a good little goer.
3. (UK, slang) A person, often a woman, who enjoys sexual activity.
   • Norman: Is your wife a ... goer ... eh? Know what I mean? Know what I mean? Nudge nudge.1969, Monty Python, Nudge Nudge
   • He winked at Parsons. "If I'm any judge, she must've bin a right little goer in 'er day."1990, Hampton Charles, Advantage Miss Seeton, page 45
4. (obsolete) A foot (body part).
   • […] a double Mantle cast
     A’ thwart his Shoulders, his faire goers g[r]ac’st
     With fitted shooes; and in his hand, a Dartc. 1615, George Chapman, transl., Homer’s Odysses, London: Nathaniell Butter, Book 13, p. 202
5. (dated) A horse, considered in reference to its gait.
   • a safe goer
   • These Horses, which are very much bought up in England, are remarkable for being good natural Pacers, strong, easy Goers, hardy, gentle, well-broken, and, above all, not apt to tire.1727, Daniel Defoe, “A Tour thro’ the Whole Island of Great Britain”, in et al., London: J. Osborn, published 1742, Volume 4, Letter 3, p. 106
6. (slang) A fire incident in progress.
   • […] multiple calls on Southwark's ground. From the radio traffic it sounded like they had a goer.2023, A. J. Taylor, Firefighting: Better than Working for a Living