skipper

¹ American  

[skip-er] / ˈskɪp ər /

noun

1. the master or captain of a vessel, especially of a small trading or fishing vessel.

2. a captain or leader, as of a team.

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verb (used with object)

1. to act as skipper of.

skipper ² American  

[skip-er] / ˈskɪp ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that skips.

2. any of various insects that hop or fly with jerky motions.

3. any of numerous quick-flying, lepidopterous insects of the family Hesperiidae, closely related to the true butterflies.

4. saury.

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skipper ¹ British  

/ ˈskɪpə /

noun

1. the captain of any vessel

2. the captain of an aircraft

3. a manager or leader, as of a sporting team

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verb

1. to act as skipper (of)

skipper ² British  

/ ˈskɪpə /

noun

1. a person or thing that skips

2. any small butterfly of the family Hesperiidae, having a hairy mothlike body and erratic darting flight

3. another name for saury

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Etymology

Origin of skipper¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle Dutch schipper, equivalent to schip ship ¹ + -er -er ¹

Origin of skipper²

1200–50; Middle English: locust. See skip ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

He was handed the national team captaincy at 22 and Liverpool view him as a future skipper, just like Gerrard.

From BBC

Ireland skipper Lorcan Tucker was downcast after his side did not get to play.

From Barron's

"It's very disappointing to go out in this fashion but it's completely uncontrollable," said Ireland stand-in skipper Lorcan Tucker.

From BBC

"If we are not at 100 percent and don't play the perfect game, it will be difficult for us," added Monaco skipper Denis Zakaria.

From Barron's

"We don't play them often, don't even play them regularly," said the Indian skipper.

From Barron's

Related Words

• captain
• sea captain