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

Then Saturday night into early Sunday morning, a quick clipper system will slide down the Great Lakes and across the Northeast, bringing a light burst of snow to much of the region, but accumulation isn't expected. —Kyle David, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026

An Arctic clipper will bring more snow and hazardous travel conditions, but not another major blizzard. —Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 31 Dec. 2025

Nail clippers, metal files, cuticle pushers, and other tools are all dishwasher-safe. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2025

Parts of Massachusetts could see up to 5 inches of snow from a clipper system this weekend, according to the National Weather Service’s Boston office. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025

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