pippin

noun

pip·​pin ˈpi-pən 

1

: a crisp tart apple having usually yellow or greenish-yellow skin strongly flushed with red and used especially for cooking

2

: a highly admired or very admirable person or thing

Did you know?

Since the late Middle Ages, English speakers have experimented with the use of the word pippin, which germinated from the Anglo-French word pepin, meaning "seed" or "pip of a fruit." "Pippin" has been used to refer to a part of a pea embryo, a grain of gold, and a grape, but those uses were not hardy enough to become firmly rooted in the English language. The word did take root, however, in the soil of the northern regions of England, where it is used to describe a small fruit seed. In addition, it has widespread use as the name of a crisp, tart apple and of a person who is unique, usually in a pleasant way.

Synonyms

• beaut
• beauty
• bee's knees
• cat's meow
• corker
• crackerjack
• crackajack
• daisy
• dandy
• dilly
• doozy
• doozie
• doozer
• dream
• honey
• hot stuff
• humdinger
• hummer
• jim-dandy
• knockout
• lollapalooza
• lulu [slang]
• nifty
• peach
• pip
• ripper
• ripsnorter
• snorter
• sockdolager
• sockdologer
• standout
• sweetheart

Examples of pippin in a Sentence

gave a pippin of a commencement speech that earned a standing ovation

Recent Examples on the Web

Each of the supporting companies brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, ensuring that ame pippin will have the resources and support needed to succeed. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025

Their large selection of ciders ranges from dry with orange pippins to semi-dry with fresh raspberry. —Marissa Wu, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2023

Pippins was gracious when asked about his two big plays against the freshman. —Stefanie Loh, The Seattle Times, 4 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pepin, from Anglo-French

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pippin

• rippon
• shippen

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!