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

Felix’s marketing team had been occupied with the launch of a new burger, the Big Smasher, when suddenly—in a matter of days—the social-media numbers went through the roof, and Triple Dipper sales doubled.

From Slate • Aug. 11, 2025

Another favorite is "The Big Dipper," my take on a French Dip.

From Salon • May 28, 2024

Him: Light pollution makes naked eye stargazing suck here, but I can see all eight stars in the Big Dipper right now, if you include Alcor.

From "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green