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; see -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

A Y-style vegetable peeler is the best tool for removing zest in strips from the fruit, but try to take only the yellow peel, as the white pith underneath is bitter.

From Washington Times • May 8, 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

He hopped across the room in pain and threw the potato peeler out the window.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

• stripper