WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
hired′ gun′, [Informal.]
- Informal Termsa person hired to kill someone, as a gunfighter or professional killer.
- Informal Termsa person hired to bear arms and fight for another, as a bodyguard or mercenary.
- Informal Termsa person, as a politician or lobbyist, skilled at attaining power for others.
- Informal Termsa person hired to resolve difficult problems or disputes or to handle complex legal or business problems.
- 1965–70