dipper

American  

[dip-er] / ˈdɪp ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that dips.

2. a cuplike container with a long handle, used for dipping liquids.

3. (initial capital letter)

   1. Big Dipper.

   2. Little Dipper.

4. Also called water ouzel.  Ornithology. any small, stocky diving bird of the family Cinclidae, related to the thrushes, especially Cinclus aquaticus of Europe and C. mexicanus of western North America, having dense, oilyplumage and frequenting rapid streams and rivers.

5. South Midland and Southern U.S. a person who uses snuff.

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dipper British  

/ ˈdɪpə /

noun

1. a ladle used for dipping

2. Also called: water ouzel.  any aquatic songbird of the genus Cinclus and family Cinclidae, esp C. cinclus. They inhabit fast-flowing streams and resemble large wrens

3. a slang word for pickpocket

4. a person or thing that dips, such as the mechanism for directing car headlights downwards

5. a small metal cup clipped onto a painter's palette for holding diluent or medium

6. archaic an Anabaptist

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Etymology

Origin of dipper

1350–1400; Middle English: diving bird; see dip ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Stout and slightly gruff, Dipper has a digital face that can approximate more than 40 expressions.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

The character of Biff Dipper, an engineer, will be found in the ride’s preshow, familiarizing guests with the story of the asteroid that spells impending doom.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Our server had just placed a smorgasbord before us, including a Triple Dipper appetizer combo in the now-canonical configuration: Big Mouth Bites, Honey-Chipotle Chicken Crispers, and Nashville Hot Mozz.

From Slate • Aug. 11, 2025

The 70-year-old has loved the cosmos since her childhood, since her father showed her the Big Dipper, the North Star and the Milky Way, and bought her her first telescope.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2024

Burnt into the Big Dipper like a dare.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle