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
The former harper crept out into the darkness, unnoticed by the rest.
From "Grendel" by John Gardner
Meanwhile the harper in the great room sang a song.
From "The Odyssey" by Homer
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
Dave & Buster’s is ramping up its turnaround strategy, which focuses on getting back to its core business, Chief Executive Darin Harper said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
Felicity Finch, who plays former Harper Adams student Ruth Archer on the BBC's The Archers programme, will receive an honorary doctorate.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
Tullis Matson is among a cohort of seven people to be given the award by Shropshire's Harper Adams University as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
Harper said the owners need not be concerned about a wave of players wanting to skip the Olympics.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026
In 1897, she asked Ida Husted Harper to work with her on an authorized biography.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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
There was a balcony at the further end, where the white-haired harpers played, and sang tales of war and love; curious antique mottoes were blazoned on the walls in old Welsh characters.
From The Ruined Cities of Zululand by Hugh Mulleneux Walmsley
"More melodious to me," said the lank, grey beggarman, "were the worst of these sounds than the sweetest harping of thy harpers."
From Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales by Various
Our beds are rocks in the dripping caves; Our lullaby song the roar of the waves: But soft rich couches once we pressed, And harpers lulled us each night to rest.
From A Reading Book in Irish History by P. W. Joyce
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.
