dipper

noun

dip·​per ˈdi-pər 

1

: one that dips: such as

a

: a worker who dips articles

b

: something (such as a long-handled cup) used for dipping

c

slang : pickpocket

2

: any of a genus (Cinclus and especially C. cinclus of the Old World and C. mexicanus of North America) of birds that comprise an oscine family (Cinclidae) and include individuals that wade and dive into swift mountain streams in search of food

called also water ouzel

3

capitalized : a group of stars that resembles a dipper: such as

a

: big dipper

b

: little dipper

dipperful

ˈdi-pər-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Synonyms

• ladle
• scoop
• spoon

Example Sentences

the metal dipper left in the stew pot was too hot to touch

Recent Examples on the Web

There was that flag; deep blue, with the dipper, fluttering insistently against the sky. —Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 14 May 2023

Droves of smelt dippers headed to the lower Sandy River on Thursday for a rare seven-hour season to capture the oily fish -- the first opportunity in eight years. —The Oregonian, oregonlive, 30 Mar. 2023

Asterism of the week: the Big Dipper The Big Dipper is a group of seven bright stars that form a distinctive pattern resembling a ladle or dipper. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023

For a fun breakfast, stop in at Wake n’ Bacon, which dishes out the a.m. classics along with some more inventive plates like breakfast pot pies and pancake bacon dippers. —Brittany Anas, Chron, 18 Feb. 2023

It’s been 15 years since there has been a recorded sighting of a dipper at Three Sisters Falls here in San Diego County. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2022

The male of the species, known as the common eastern firefly or big dipper, is no slouch in the seduction department, either. —Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 3 Feb. 2023

Many people on Earth were alive 78 years ago when the light from Dubhe (the upper front star in the dipper’s bowl) started its journey. —Corey S Powell, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2013

Look for the Big Dipper, which is a group of seven bright stars that form a distinctive pattern resembling a ladle or dipper. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dipper

noun

dip·​per ˈdip-ər 

1

: one that dips

especially : something (as a long-handled cup) used for dipping

2

: any of several birds that dive into streams in search of food

called also water ouzel

3

capitalized

a

: the seven major stars of Ursa Major arranged in a form resembling a dipper

called also Big Dipper

b

: the seven major stars in Ursa Minor similarly arranged with the North Star forming the outer end of the handle

called also Little Dipper

dipperful

-ˌfu̇l 

noun