peeler

¹ American  

[pee-ler] / ˈpi lər /

noun

1. a person or thing that peels.

2. Also called parer.  a kitchen implement, often having a swiveling, protected blade, for removing the peel or outer skin of a vegetable or fruit.

3. 1. a long-staple cotton raised originally in the regions along the Yazoo River and the Mississippi River delta.

   2. a yarn made from this cotton.

4. Slang. a striptease dancer.

5. a log, especially of a Douglas fir, suitable for rotary cutting into veneers.

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peeler ² American  

[pee-ler] / ˈpi lər /

noun

British Archaic.

1. a police officer.

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peeler ¹ British  

/ ˈpiːlə /

noun

1. a special knife or mechanical device for peeling vegetables, fruit, etc

   a potato peeler

2. slang a striptease dancer

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peeler ² British  

/ ˈpiːlə /

noun

1. old-fashioned another word for policeman

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Etymology

Origin of peeler¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English peler; equivalent to peel ¹ ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Origin of peeler²

1810–20; named after Sir R. Peel; -er ¹

Example Sentences

There is applesauce, made with an apple peeler you crank by hand, simmering on the stove.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Use a Y-style peeler or mandoline to shave the zucchini from top to bottom into ribbons; rotating as you go.

From Washington Times • Jun. 7, 2023

Think of it like a vegetable peeler for your garden beds.

From New York Times • May 6, 2023

Heat oven to 425°F. Peel squash with a vegetable peeler.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2022

She set a bag of apples and a peeler in front of me.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Related Words

• stripper