gaffer
Americannoun
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the chief electrician on the set of a movie or television show.
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Informal. an old man.
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British Informal.
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a boss, supervisor, or manager.
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a foreman or overseer in charge of a group of physical laborers.
a factory gaffer.
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the coach or manager of a sports team.
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Glassmaking. a master glassblower responsible for shaping glassware.
noun
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an old man, esp one living in the country: often used affectionately or patronizingly Compare gammer
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informal a boss, foreman, or owner of a factory, mine, etc
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the senior electrician on a television or film set
Etymology
Origin of gaffer
First recorded in 1565–75; contraction of godfather
Explanation
A gaffer is a member of a movie or television crew. The gaffer runs the production's electrical department. One of the jobs credited at the end of a film is the gaffer. A gaffer is responsible for the electricity that powers the lights, so her job is vital to the success of the movie. You can also call a gaffer a Chief Lighting Technician, and you can call her assistant a Best Boy. The word gaffer is also sometimes used to mean "old man," which is the oldest meaning of the word, originally a contraction of godfather.
Vocabulary lists containing gaffer
Theater - Middle School
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Theater - High School
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Kings of B'More
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Working with gaffer Jim Plannette, Schiffman referenced classic films while adding his own interpretation, capturing the sequence on 35mm color film stock and converting it to black and white.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026
It’s telling that while Mr. Deakins takes pains to praise his longtime gaffer, key grip, dolly grip, best boy and more, he never bothers to define those roles for the lay reader.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026
This means he ensures the director feels comfortable with the gaffer, the dolly grip, the key grip, so that there’s no one on set that feels like a stranger.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2025
"Even before the final in 1990, the gaffer used to say 'winning a trophy will give you a kick-start'," said Pallister.
From BBC ● May 21, 2025
‘Well, I was born lucky, whatever my gaffer may say. There’s another wish come true! Where is he?’
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
