What does "dipper" mean?
One who, or that which, dips (immerses something, or itself, into a liquid).
Dipper
/ˈdɪpɚ/ name, noun, slang
name, noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who, or that which, dips (immerses something, or itself, into a liquid).
- Grammar: dipper is listed as name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: water ouzel, big dipper, bucephala albeola, bucephela albeola.
- Usage evidence: You can find the Big Dipper easily.
How to use "dipper"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dipper" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dipper" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dipper" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dipper" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "dipper" is acting as name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "water ouzel" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "dipper", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who, or that which, dips (immerses something, or itself, into a liquid).
"A chocolate dipper dips the cream centers into warm chocolate by hand; when taken out the creams are shaped [...]"
- 2 A member or supporter of the Canadian New Democratic Party. Canadian, informal
"But the Dippers should hold their applause, since their party doesn't have the grassroots organization or the roster of good candidates it needs to capitalize on their leader's popularity."
- 3 small stocky diving bird without webbed feet; frequents fast-flowing streams and feeds along the bottom wordnet
- 4 Any of various small passerine birds of the genus Cinclus that live near fast-flowing streams and feed along the bottom.
- 5 Of or pertaining to the Canadian New Democratic Party or supporters thereof. Canadian, attributive, informal
"It's either that or watch Dipper hopes of big overall seat gains dashed May 2 in Ontario."
Show 12 more definitions
- 6 small North American diving duck; males have bushy head plumage wordnet
- 7 A cup-shaped vessel with a long handle, for dipping into and ladling out liquids; a ladle or scoop.
- 8 a ladle that has a cup with a long handle wordnet
- 9 The control in a vehicle that switches between high-beam and low-beam (i.e. dips the lights), especially when used to signal other vehicles. India, UK
- 10 Any snack food intended to be dipped in sauce.
"chicken dippers"
- 11 Someone who dips chewing tobacco or snuff.
- 12 A pickpocket. slang
"It is doubtful if the Victorian Londoner needed any warning, for the artful mobsmen, toolers, whizzers and dippers, together with their stickman accomplices, were everywhere in the crowds, in the underground, on railway trains […]"
- 13 A person employed in a tin plate works to coat steel plates in molten tin by dipping them. historical
- 14 A person employed to assist a bather in and out of the sea. historical
- 15 A Baptist or Dunker. historical, informal
- 16 A delivery bowled that curves into or away from the batter before pitching.
- 17 an Indian-born immigrant residing in Western countries, often born in the 1990s or later India, North, South-Asia, derogatory, offensive, slang
Proper Noun
- 1 Either the Big Dipper or the Little Dipper (in the singular, chiefly the Big Dipper).
"In the Big Dipper, or Ursa Major, there are two stars which form the side of the dipper farthest from the handle. The line of these two [...] will strike the Pole Star. [...] A convenient sort of celestial yardstick is the distance from the first pointer of the Dipper to the Pole Star, which is about 28°."
- 2 A Chinese constellation located near Sagittarius, one of the 28 lunar mansions and part of the larger Black Turtle.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"You can find the Big Dipper easily."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "dipper"?
Common synonyms include: water ouzel, big dipper, bucephala albeola, bucephela albeola, bufflehead, butterball.
How do you use "dipper" in a sentence?
You can find the Big Dipper easily.
How do you pronounce "dipper"?
Pronounced /ˈdɪpɚ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English dippere; equivalent to dip + -er.
Etymology 2
A translation of the Mandarin Chinese 斗宿 (Dǒuxiù).
Etymology 3
From NDPer (NDP + -er).