dropper

American  

[drop-er] / ˈdrɒp ər /

noun

1. 1. Also called medicine dropper.  Also called eyedropper.  a tube with a hollow rubber bulb at one end and a small opening at the other, for drawing in a liquid and expelling it in drops.

      For pets that don't like droppers, this medication also comes in a spray.

      You can dilute the tempera a little at a time by adding water with an eye dropper.

   2. the amount held or dispensed by such a tube.

      Take two droppers of the echinacea tincture, swish it in your mouth for about 15 seconds, and swallow.

2. Angling. a short length of nylon, gut, etc., tied to a leader so that another fly dropper fly can be attached.

   This is a great summer fly that you can fish on a dropper or simply on its own.

3. a short-haired dog that is a cross between a pointer and a setter, so named because it drops to the ground, or crouches, on sighting game.

4. a person or thing that drops. drop.

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dropper British  

/ ˈdrɒpə /

noun

1. a small tube having a rubber bulb at one end for drawing up and dispensing drops of liquid

2. a person or thing that drops

3. angling a short length of monofilament by which a fly is attached to the main trace or leader above the tail fly

4. a batten attached to the top wire of a fence to keep the wires apart

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Etymology

Origin of dropper

First recorded in 1690–1700; drop + -er ¹

Compare meaning

How does dropper compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dropper vs. dispenser

Example Sentences

The Tri-Nations triopoly has been broken only once - 2003, Jonny Wilkinson's glorious dropper and all that.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

I am an inveterate name dropper as you have just very politely pointed out.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 28, 2023

The humor, such as it is, seems like it’s being doled out in a dropper.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2021

The acids come in dropper bottles ranging between 10 and 24 karats.

From Encyclopedia.com • Apr. 9, 2018

“Why not use your magic staff and find out?” replied Tock as clearly as anyone could with an eye dropper in his mouth.

From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster