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View synonyms for gaffer

gaffer

[ gaf-er ]

noun

  1. the chief electrician on the set of a movie or television show.
  2. Informal. an old man.
  3. British Informal.
    1. a boss, supervisor, or manager.
    2. a foreman or overseer in charge of a group of physical laborers:

      a factory gaffer.

    3. the coach or manager of a sports team.
  4. Glassmaking. a master glassblower responsible for shaping glassware.


gaffer

/ ˈɡæfə /

noun

  1. an old man, esp one living in the country: often used affectionately or patronizingly Compare gammer
  2. informal.
    a boss, foreman, or owner of a factory, mine, etc
  3. the senior electrician on a television or film set
“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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Word History and Origins

Origin of gaffer1

First recorded in 1565–75; contraction of godfather
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gaffer1

C16: alteration of godfather
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Example Sentences

Sometimes, when your rubber isn’t street legal and your headlights have been x-ed out with gaffer tape, a trailer becomes a necessity, as does a vehicle to pull that trailer.

One producer who works on digital and branded videos said they normally need to contact at most “a couple” people when hiring a freelance gaffer for a shoot.

From Digiday

So you ken what it means, when a gaffer carries on like that, an' the man is saft enough as weel as the woman being willin'.

"I have no time for gossiping," mumbled Gaffer Grebe, with his mouth full of building material.

Gaffer; an old English word, but with a peculiar application in Ireland, where it means a boy, a young chap.

I came to Gaffer and Grannie Cressidge as they smiled at each other when eating the apples and bread.

Outside a shuttered pub a bunch of loiterers listen to a tale which their brokensnouted gaffer rasps out with raucous humour.

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gaffegaffer tape