Pied Piper

Save This Word!

noun

the hero of a German folk legend, popularized in The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1842) by Robert Browning.

(sometimes lowercase) a person who induces others to follow or imitate him or her, especially by means of false or extravagant promises.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby Pied Piper

Piedmont, Piedmontese, piedmontite, pied noir, pie-dog, Pied Piper, pied-piping, piedra, Piedras Negras, pied shag, pied wagtail

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Pied Piper in a sentence

The life Piper longs for, whether with Larry or Alex, might not look much different.
Orange Is the New Weeds: The Adventures of Jenji Kohan Across the 8th Dimension|Rich Goldstein, Emily Shire|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sure, Nancy has the fish-out-of-water thing going on, but that attribute often defines Piper.
Orange Is the New Weeds: The Adventures of Jenji Kohan Across the 8th Dimension|Rich Goldstein, Emily Shire|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
OITNB has so far neglected to grace Alex with a sibling, but Piper has a brother who has figured prominently.
Orange Is the New Weeds: The Adventures of Jenji Kohan Across the 8th Dimension|Rich Goldstein, Emily Shire|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It would not be unreasonable to assume Piper might do the same to Litchfield if given the opportunity.
Orange Is the New Weeds: The Adventures of Jenji Kohan Across the 8th Dimension|Rich Goldstein, Emily Shire|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Although her age is never explicitly stated, Nancy is not considerably older than Piper (the real Kerman went to jail at 35).
Orange Is the New Weeds: The Adventures of Jenji Kohan Across the 8th Dimension|Rich Goldstein, Emily Shire|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the Great Southern were the real promoters of both; they paid the piper and, therefore, called the tune.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
The piper was taken away senseless, but my brother would not suffer either Joe or Alley to be disturbed till breakfast was ready.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
A second version of the False Claimant story is found in Le cerf au pied blanc.
The Three Days' Tournament|Jessie L. Weston
Dorothy's slight figure came hurtling out of the pit's mouth, tossed to their very feet by the long arms of Peter Piper.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
As they came up Peter Piper cast one glance upon them, then hid his face and shuddered.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond

British Dictionary definitions for Pied Piper

Pied Piper

noun

Also called: the Pied Piper of Hamelin (in German legend) a piper who rid the town of Hamelin of rats by luring them away with his music and then, when he was not paid for his services, lured away its children

(sometimes not capitals) a person who entices others to follow him

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