ripper

American  

[rip-er] / ˈrɪp ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that rips.

2. Also ripper bill, ripper act a legislative bill or act for taking powers of appointment to and removal from office away from the usual holders of these powers and conferring them unrestrictedly on a chief executive, as a governor or mayor, or on a board of officials.

3. a double-ripper.

4. a killer who dispatches and often mutilates victims with a knife or similar weapon.

5. Mining. a hooklike tool, attached to earth-moving machinery, for tearing away ore, rock, etc.

6. Chiefly British Slang. something especially strong, fine, or good of its kind.

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ripper British  

/ ˈrɪpə /

noun

1. a person who rips

2. a murderer who dissects or mutilates his victims' bodies

3. informal a fine or excellent person or thing

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Etymology

Origin of ripper

First recorded in 1605–15; rip ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

“Any good news at all and there are so many out there way off sides to a ripper of a rally,” Detrick said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

Three overs later, Latham missed a sweep to be lbw to Root and when Leach produced a ripper that turned past Will Young's defensive stroke, New Zealand were three down still 59 adrift.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2023

The airtight ripper is possibly the first Stevie Wonder song one could legitimately mosh to, which is kinda weird and unexpectedly satisfying.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 16, 2022

The objects there are built on an Alice in Wonderland scale: tomato-shaped pincushions as big as chairs, a gargantuan seam ripper in royal blue, bobbins a giant could use.

From New York Times • Nov. 4, 2021

He was a ripper, and I adored that.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

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