viper

noun vi·per \ ˈvī-pər \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of viper

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

See viper defined for English-language learners

See viper defined for kids

Examples of viper in a Sentence

a viper sliding silently through the field

Recent Examples of viper from the Web

This week, Bitcoin’s most despised man subjected himself to the Internet equivalent of a den of vipers: Reddit.

— cyrus farivar, Ars Technica, "Mt. Gox ex-CEO, who may profit from site’s fall, says he “doesn’t want this”," 6 Apr. 2018
Pythons solved one of the problems with the viper study: volume.

— ellen airhart, WIRED, "These Conservationists Are Desperate to Defrost Snake Sperm," 13 Mar. 2018
While live-birth giving vipers have been observed showing maternal behavior, his discovery is the first example of egg-laying snakes caring for their young after hatching.

— National Geographic, "Python Moms Care for Their Young, Surprising Experts," 14 Mar. 2018
But conservation biologist Rogério Zacariotti wants to save a venomous yellow viper—the golden lancehead.

— ellen airhart, WIRED, "These Conservationists Are Desperate to Defrost Snake Sperm," 13 Mar. 2018
On their bodies, viper dogfish have little cells that produce light called photophores.

— sarah gibbens, National Geographic, "'Alien'-Like Sharks With Extendable Jaws Pulled From Deep Sea," 11 Jan. 2018
Specialized package players within Michigan's defensive scheme likely translates to viper linebackers and nickel defenders.

— nick baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan confirms hiring of Al Washington as defensive assistant coach," 5 Jan. 2018
Use your spatula and your practiced food tossing to keep the food skittering like a cat in a viper pit across its extremely hot surface.

— james p. dewan, chicagotribune.com, "What you need to know before you wok," 16 Feb. 2018
Members: Megan Woodruff, 18, leas vocals, senior; Anna Wallace, 17, viper (electric violin), senior; Bryan Ream, 18, guitar, senior; Alex Mateos, 18, bass, senior; Mark Fullen, 16, drums, junior.

— chuck yarborough, cleveland.com, "2018 Tri-C High School Rock Off: Meet the bands," 15 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'viper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of viper

Middle English vipere, from Latin vipera

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

viper Synonyms

Synonyms

serpent, snake;

VIPER Defined for English Language Learners

viper

noun

Definition of viper for English Language Learners

: a type of poisonous snake

VIPER Defined for Kids

viper

noun vi·per \ ˈvī-pər \

Definition of viper for Students

: a poisonous heavy-bodied snake with long hollow fangs

Medical Dictionary

viper

noun vi·per \ ˈvī-pər \

medical Definition of viper

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