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

Bitters are added to drinks using a medicine dropper instead of a dasher bottle.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2022

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

From Encyclopedia.com • Apr. 9, 2018

“I’ll be coming around with a dropper of water to prepare your cards, so please don’t start until I get to you.”

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer