sampler

1 of 2

noun (1)

sam·​pler ˈsam-plər 

: a decorative piece of needlework typically having letters or verses embroidered on it in various stitches as an example of skill

sampler

2 of 2

noun (2)

sam·​pler ˈsam-p(ə-)lər 

1

: one that collects, prepares, or examines samples

2

: something containing representative specimens or selections

a sampler of nineteen poets

—K. E. Judd

also : assortment

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• cross section
• sample
• sampling
• selection
• slice

Examples of sampler in a Sentence

Noun (2)

she put together a sampler of works in the police procedural genre

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For the type of person who will spend $50 on a sampler of Portuguese sardines despite having never previously touched the domestic cans, the next logical step may be to fill the freezer with $10 pints of craft ice cream or $22 sourdough pizza. —Meghan McCarron, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025

Her Pizza Starter Kit from Pizza Girl comes with an adorable countertop pizza oven (with adjustable heat settings); a three-pack organic sauce sampler; cutting board; apron; pizza cutter; and semi-circle pizza paddles–everything needed to make a delicious pizza dinner for the family. —Rona Berg, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

This sampler pack includes gourmet flavors like mint, chipotle and honeycomb to put a unique spin on your traditional box of chocolates. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025

An official Basement Tapes sampler came out in 1975, but the bootlegs kept coming, up to the 2014 box The Complete Basement Tapes. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1523, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sampler

• ampler

Kids Definition

sampler

1 of 2 noun

sam·​pler ˈsam-plər 

: a piece of needlework typically having letters or verses on it done in various stitches as an example of skill

sampler

2 of 2 noun

sam·​pler ˈsam-p(ə-)lər 

1

: one that collects or examines samples

2

: a collection of samples