chipper

[ chip-er ]

See synonyms for: chipper chippered chippering chippers on Thesaurus.com

adjective

marked by or being in sprightly good humor and health.

Origin of chipper

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

Other words for chipper

jaunty, peppy, pert

See synonyms for chipper on Thesaurus.com

Other definitions for chipper (2 of 3)

chipper²

[ chip-er ]

verb (used without object)

to chirp or twitter.
to chatter or babble.

Origin of chipper

First recorded in 1705–15; chip² + -er⁶

Other definitions for chipper (3 of 3)

chipper³

[ chip-er ]

noun

a person or thing that chips or cuts.
a machine that grinds up logs, tree trunks, discarded Christmas trees, etc., into wood chips.

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

Origin of chipper

First recorded in 1505–15; chip¹ + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use chipper in a sentence

The squeeze, Cooper, hissed Nelson in Chippers ear, as the little shortstop rose from the bench.
The New Boys at Oakdale | Morgan Scott
It also chippers like a young Warbler or a Black-throated Green.
Life Histories of North American Wood Warblers Part One and Part Two | Arthur Bent
The logs for this are not ground fine, but cut up by disk chippers.
Creative Chemistry | Edwin E. Slosson
Or make our mere chippers and filers a match for such workmen as him.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 93, November 19, 1887 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for chipper (1 of 2)

chipper¹

/ (ˈtʃɪpə) /

adjectiveinformal

cheerful; lively
smartly dressed

British Dictionary definitions for chipper (2 of 2)

chipper²

/ (ˈtʃɪpər) /

noun

Irish and Scot informal a fish-and-chip shop

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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