harper
noun
a person who plays the harp.
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harperess.
harper
1 American
[hahr-per]
/ ˈhɑr pər /
Harper
2
American
[hahr-per]
/ ˈhɑr pər /
noun
-
James, 1795–1869, and his brothers John, 1797–1875, (Joseph) Wesley, 1801–70, and Fletcher, 1806–77, U.S. printers and publishers.
-
a male or female given name.
Harper
British
/ ˈhɑːpə /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of harper
before 900; Middle English; Old English hearpere. See harp, -er 1
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.
See Examples For:
When they became international stars in the 1970s, the group hired a harper named Derek Bell to play the old O’Carolan tunes, which as a result became part of every Irish band’s repertoire.
From Washington Post ● May 12, 2016
Mead has been spilled on the oak and the king's strong-thewed companions, none over 30, sprawl, snore or listen intently to the end of a long-drawn saga sung by Maccus, the harper.
From Time Magazine Archive
They burnt the great thighbones and feasted at their ease on fresh roast meat, as in their midst the godlike harper sang— Demodokos, honored by all that realm.
From "The Odyssey" by Homer
I could no longer pay the cook and the harper, and Lynesse grew wild when I spoke of pawning her jewels.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Arya made faces across the table when no one was looking,- Sansa listened raptly while the king's high harper sang songs of chivalry, and Rickon kept asking why Jon wasn't with them.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
The Express features a full page photograph of Andrew and Lissie Harper, paired with the headline: "My Andrew and every victim deserves better".
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
His decision comes after the widow of PC Andrew Harper described the possibility of his killers being freed early as "deplorable".
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
PC Harper, from Wallingford, Oxfordshire, responded to the quad bike call just hours after he had been due to clock off and begin his honeymoon with wife Lissie Harper.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Legal experts say Harper might have grounds to sue FanDuel for false endorsement, misappropriation and invasion of privacy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
“And you’re probably right. He roped in little Milton Harper and who knows who else. You did a good thing tonight, Nathaniel.”
From "Worth" by A. LaFaye
When gloved harpers set those overhead strings vibrating, the Kennedy Center architecture will be reflected in the tone.
From Washington Post ● May 12, 2016
"Your father—" "—will thank me, when I hand him his kingdom. I mean to do a deed that the harpers will sing of for a thousand years."
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
The golden city of St. John's vision is filled with "the voice of harpers, harping with their harps," in the new song before the throne of God.
From Tuscan Sculpture of the Fifteenth Century A Collection of Sixteen Pictures Reproducing Works by Donatello, the Della Robia, Mino da Fiesole, and Others, with Introduction by Hurll, Estelle M. (Estelle May)
A hundred warriors fully armed shall always await you at call, and harpers shall delight you with their sweet music.
From Old Celtic Romances by Unknown
As the summer winds had howled up the Notch, lashing the leafy branches of the birches and beeches, so now the winter winds howled down, harpers that struck dismal notes from the bare trees.
From King Spruce, A Novel by Day, Holman
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.
