chipper

¹ American  

[chip-er] / ˈtʃɪp ər /

adjective

1. marked by or being in sprightly good humor and health.

   Synonyms:

   pert, peppy, jaunty

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chipper ² American  

[chip-er] / ˈtʃɪp ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to chirp or twitter.

2. to chatter or babble.

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chipper ³ American  

[chip-er] / ˈtʃɪp ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that chips or cuts.

2. a machine that grinds up logs, tree trunks, discarded Christmas trees, etc., into wood chips.

3. Slang. a person who uses narcotic drugs only occasionally or in small doses.

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chipper ¹ British  

/ ˈtʃɪpə /

adjective

1. cheerful; lively

2. smartly dressed

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chipper ² British  

/ ˈtʃɪpər /

noun

1. informal a fish-and-chip shop

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Usage

What does chipper mean? Chipper is most commonly used as an adjective meaning upbeat, cheerful, and high-spirited, especially in an outward way.Chipper is used to describe someone’s overall mood or attitude, or their actions. People sometimes get annoyed if they think a person is being too chipper—the word may be used to imply that such cheerfulness is annoying or inappropriate for the situation.As an adjective, it can also mean nicely dressed, though this sense is used much less commonly.Chipper can also be used as a noun referring to a machine that grinds wood (like tree trunks and branches) into chips. This is more commonly called a woodchipper.Less commonly, chipper can be used as a verb meaning to chirp or twitter, like a bird does (a chipping sparrow, perhaps), or to chatter or babble, as in If you leave those two to themselves, they’ll chipper away the entire afternoon. Chipper also has a few slang uses, including as a term for a fish-and-chip shop in Ireland and Scotland.Example: Ironically, I’m at my most chipper when I get to work the woodchipper—there’s just something really satisfying about it.

Etymology

Origin of chipper¹

First recorded in 1830–40; of uncertain origin; perhaps from northern English dialect kipper “lively, frisky”

Origin of chipper²

First recorded in 1705–15; chip ² + -er ⁶

Origin of chipper³

First recorded in 1505–15; chip ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

“Maybe,” she says in a voice meant to sound chipper.

From Literature

Instead, it is a testament to his survival, particularly in a city that views its lower-tier celebs as more wood for the chipper.

From Los Angeles Times

"He was honestly very positive and chipper", says one who was in the room.

From BBC

Yet, for all the worries, old and new, most of the investors on the Barron’s Roundtable were in a chipper mood this year at our annual gathering, which took place Jan. 5 in New York.

From Barron's

Yet, for all the worries, old and new, most of the investors on the Barron’s Roundtable were in a chipper mood this year at our annual gathering, which took place Jan. 5 in New York.

From Barron's

Related Words

• lively
• sprightly