clipper

noun

clip·​per ˈkli-pər 

1

: one that clips something

2

: an implement for clipping especially hair, fingernails, or toenails

—usually used in plural

3

: something that moves swiftly: such as

a

: a fast sailing ship

especially : one with long slender lines, an overhanging bow, tall masts, and a large sail area

b

or clipper system : a fast-moving, low-pressure weather system : alberta clipper

… but that's just a taste of things to come as that clipper system moves across the Lakes.

—Nick Walker

Examples of clipper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The founder of one agency tells me his top clipper has earned over six figures publishing across thousands of accounts. —Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026

By now, half the world has registered an opinion on Kylie Jenner’s nipple-forward Venus de Milo homage or the clipper ship perched on Madonna’s head at this year’s Met Gala. —Jane Bua, New Yorker, 14 May 2026

Polymarket, the prediction market site, was offering 50 cents per thousand views, with a total budget of $70,000 for clippers to fight over. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 12 May 2026

What would Miranda Priestly say about being associated with a pair of drug store nail clippers? —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clipper

• Alberta clipper

Rhymes for clipper

• chipper
• dipper
• flipper
• gripper
• kipper
• nipper
• ripper
• shipper
• skipper
• slipper
• stripper
• tipper

Kids Definition

clipper

noun

clip·​per ˈklip-ər 

1

: one that clips

2

plural : a device for clipping

hair clippers

3

: a fast sailing ship with usually three tall masts and large square sails