viper

noun

vi·​per ˈvī-pər 

1

a

: a common Eurasian venomous snake (Vipera berus) that attains a length of about two feet (0.6 meter), varies in color from red, brown, or gray with dark markings to black, and is usually not fatal to humans

broadly : any of a family (Viperidae) of venomous snakes that includes Old World snakes (subfamily Viperinae) and the pit vipers

b

: a venomous or reputedly venomous snake

2

: a vicious or treacherous person

Synonyms

• serpent
• snake

Examples of viper in a Sentence

a viper sliding silently through the field

Recent Examples on the Web

Later, we are shown ominous faces buried and staring out from beneath a pit of black vipers. —Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023

Because carpet viper bites cause bleeding and tissue decay, some victims may need blood transfusions. —Cassandra Willyard, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023

Some evidence suggests that antivenom developed using venom from Indian Russell's vipers, for instance, is less effective against venom from Sri Lankan Russell's vipers. —Cassandra Willyard, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023

Cold apps include a Seafood Goblet with shrimp and crab; a Watermelon Stack with herbs, crab and viper vinaigrette; and a Southern Charcuterie. Entrees include a selection of sandwiches, tacos, bowls and salads, plus various catch-of-the-day specials. —Lawrence Specker | [e-mail], al, 11 Sep. 2023

And that chatter, in turn, led Kat to pull throw herself into the pit once more — this time the viper pit that is Twitter. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2023

Elsewhere in the carousel, Ratajkowski flaunts her red viper nails, which are covered in different shimmery, glossy, black, and white designs. —Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Aug. 2023

Its brownish-beige patterning provides camouflage in leaf litter, and its general appearance as a non-venomous serpent isn’t too different from venomous vipers. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2023

The eyelash viper is venomous—a bite releases hemotoxic venom that compromises the cardiovascular and central nervous systems until neurotoxic paralysis takes over, at which point the viper will swallow its prey whole. —Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 26 Jan. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English vipere, from Latin vipera

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing viper

• pit viper
• viper's bugloss
• horned viper

• pit viper
• viper's bugloss
• horned viper

Kids Definition

viper

noun

vi·​per ˈvī-pər 

1

: any of a family of poisonous snakes having heavy bodies, broad heads, and hollow tube-shaped fangs and including Old World snakes and the pit vipers

2

: any snake that is poisonous or that is believed to be poisonous

Medical Definition

viper

noun

vi·​per ˈvī-pər 

1

: a common Eurasian venomous snake of the genus Vipera (V. berus) that attains a length of about two feet (0.6 meter), varies in color from red, brown, or gray with dark markings to black, and whose bite is usually not fatal to humans

broadly : any snake of an Old World subfamily (Viperinae) of the family Viperidae

2

: pit viper

3

: a venomous or reputedly venomous snake