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Synonyms

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.

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.

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

"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

verb

  1. to act as skipper (of)

"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
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

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ex-Marlins manager Skip Schumaker will take the reins from four-time World Series champion Bruce Bochy, who did not return as the club’s skipper.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

In their programme notes, both Slot and skipper Virgil van Dijk made a point of emphasising the atmosphere and the manager's added energy on the touchline was noticeable.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

England's only win of the Six Nations came as George resumed starting skipper duties against Wales.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

England are the only team to secure a place in the semi-finals so far after skipper Harry Brook's match-winning century against Pakistan.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

As Shackleton crawled out to relieve Worsley at the tiller, a large wave slammed the skipper right in the face.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.