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

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

Livestreamers and new-media influencers including video podcasters have enlisted professional clippers to capture the best moments from their videos and seed them across social media. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026

Zach Justice, a popular podcaster, says clippers’ gut instincts are often helpful for virality. —Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026

Why book? For waterfront views of an iconic slice of Boston Harbor (namely, the iconic clipper ship at the Tea Party Ships and Museum) and plenty of space to spread out, from the lobby to the pool. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 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