harper
noun
a person who plays the harp.
harper
1 American
[hahr-per]
/ ˈhɑr pər /
Harper
2
American
[hahr-per]
/ ˈhɑr pər /
noun
-
James, 1795–1869, and his brothers John, 1797–1875, (Joseph) Wesley, 1801–70, and Fletcher, 1806–77, U.S. printers and publishers.
-
a male or female given name.
Harper
British
/ ˈhɑːpə /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of harper
before 900; Middle English; Old English hearpere. See harp, -er 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
When they became international stars in the 1970s, the group hired a harper named Derek Bell to play the old O’Carolan tunes, which as a result became part of every Irish band’s repertoire.
From Washington Post ● May 12, 2016
Mead has been spilled on the oak and the king's strong-thewed companions, none over 30, sprawl, snore or listen intently to the end of a long-drawn saga sung by Maccus, the harper.
From Time Magazine Archive
Not till the man was fed did the sweet harper end his singing—whereupon the company made the walls ring again with talk.
From "The Odyssey" by Homer
She was the lovely, golden-haired harper who had tried for her talent and failed.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
I could no longer pay the cook and the harper, and Lynesse grew wild when I spoke of pawning her jewels.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Harper explained that preparations involve checking vehicles and equipment to ensure volunteers are ready for any call out.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
“When that script came across my desk, I was like ‘This is insane,’” Harper says of the show, now streaming on MGM+.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Hugh Harper said when Leona was born he was the "first to hold her"
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Reports soon surfaced that Schmitt’s general counsel Ethan Harper, who stood behind him holding the infamous poster, saw his potential White House staff position being placed into immediate jeopardy.
From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2026
“I got a... letter today. From Harper and Row,” I say.
From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
When gloved harpers set those overhead strings vibrating, the Kennedy Center architecture will be reflected in the tone.
From Washington Post ● May 12, 2016
"Your father—" "—will thank me, when I hand him his kingdom. I mean to do a deed that the harpers will sing of for a thousand years."
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
In vain the heav’nly harpers tune the lyre, Rejoicing saints perform the three-fold part; In vain believers flash devotion’s fire, Or drag the holy harrows o’er thy heart!
From Awd Isaac, The Steeple Chase, and other Poems With a glossary of the Yorkshire Dialect by John Castillo
"More melodious to me," said the lank, grey beggarman, "were the worst of these sounds than the sweetest harping of thy harpers."
From Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales by Various
In those days, harpers were accustomed to wander about towns and armies, playing for the amusement of those who would pay them.
From The Boys' And Girls' Library by Various
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
