skipper

¹

[skip-er]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as skipper of.

skipper

²

[skip-er]

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.

skipper

¹

/ ˈskɪpə /

noun

1. the captain of any vessel

2. the captain of an aircraft

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

verb

1. to act as skipper (of)

skipper

²

/ 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

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of skipper¹

C14: from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch schipper shipper

Example Sentences

In that same interview from last summer, she expressed uncertainty over whether she could eventually play under another skipper.

From BBC

As the players and fans revelled in Rome, all demanding "two more years" for skipper Luke Donald, statisticians reached for the record books.

From BBC

European skipper John Jacobs was also unimpressed, saying they turned up "dressed as though they were going on a camping holiday".

From BBC

Both skippers are also unanimous in their desire for the week to end in harmony, though.

From BBC

Knowing there is already a wealth of tinder, the skippers will not want sparks to fly - certainly until the contest finally gets under way on Friday morning.

From BBC

Related Words

• captain 
• sea captain