dipper

noun

dip·​per ˈdi-pər How to pronounce dipper (audio)
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
dipperful noun

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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dipper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dipper was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near dipper

Cite this Entry

“Dipper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dipper. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

dipper

noun
dip·​per ˈdip-ər How to pronounce dipper (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dipper

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