nipper

noun

nip·​per ˈni-pər How to pronounce nipper (audio)
1
: any of various devices (such as pincers) for nipping
usually used in plural
2
a
chiefly British : a boy employed as a helper (as of a carter or hawker)
b
: child
especially : a small boy

Examples of nipper in a Sentence

She used the nippers to prune the bush. when I was just a nipper
Recent Examples on the Web Unlike a traditional manicure, which soaks the nail and uses a pusher and nipper to cut the cuticles, a Russian manicure uses almost exclusively electric file bits to groom your nails without water. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 30 Oct. 2023 Built with fly fishing enthusiasts in mind, the pack magnets hold flies and nippers, but this multifunctional hip pack can be used for any outdoor activity, whether hiking, canoeing, or camping. Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2023 Your first instinct might be to grab the cuticle nippers and snip extremely dry skin around the nail or push the cuticles back, but your best move is to keep them moisturized and otherwise leave them alone. Sarah Madaus, SELF, 22 Mar. 2023 Only clip away any hangnails with a nipper. Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 15 June 2020 This Sephora kit has affordable essentials, from nail clippers to files to a cuticle nipper. Tiffany Dodson, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 July 2022 Australian scientists have used eDNA to investigate what kind of creatures live in the caves under Christmas Island, revealing a diverse community that includes a type of fish called snook, yellow nipper crabs, and freshwater jellyfish. James Gaines, Wired, 12 Feb. 2022 Always wear safety glasses when using nippers, and sand sharp cut edges with Fine-Grit Sandpaper ($3, The Home Depot). Kim Hutchison, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2020 This kit has flies, forceps, a 4-piece rod perfect for backpacking, reel, line, and nippers. Outdoor Life, 26 May 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nipper.' 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

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nipper was in 1541

Dictionary Entries Near nipper

Cite this Entry

“Nipper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nipper. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nipper

noun
nip·​per ˈnip-ər How to pronounce nipper (audio)
1
: a device (as pincers) for nipping
usually used in plural
2
: a small boy

Medical Definition

nipper

noun
nip·​per ˈnip-ər How to pronounce nipper (audio)
1
: any of various devices (as pincers) for gripping, breaking, or cutting (as nails or cuticle)
usually used in plural
2
: an incisor of a horse
especially : one of the middle four incisors compare corner tooth, divider

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