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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.

    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.

  3. Slang. a striptease dancer.

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


peeler 2 American  
[pee-ler] / ˈpi lər /

noun

British Archaic.
  1. a police officer.


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

"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

peeler 2 British  
/ ˈpiːlə /

noun

  1. old-fashioned another word for policeman

"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

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; see -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:

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 vegetable peeler to shave thin pieces of Parmigiano-Reggiano over the top.

From Seattle Times Apr. 23, 2024

A sharp Y-shaped vegetable peeler is the perfect tool for shaving the cheese.

From Washington Times Dec. 22, 2023

I never had an apple peeler, bread pan, garlic mincer, whisk or anything similar until I married my wife.

From Salon Nov. 21, 2023

“Look, Anne, I am taking peeler in my hand like so and going from the top to bottom! Nein, not so...but so!”

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

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