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

His stance was understandable, of course - Guehi was his skipper and a key player in his team.

From BBC

To do that, the skipper is preparing his team to cope with an expected hostile atmosphere.

From BBC

US skipper Keegan Bradley announced his six wildcard picks last week and opted not to include himself as a player despite finishing 11th on their ranking list.

From BBC

However, he was an unused substitute for both of United's opening Premier League games and head coach Ruben Amorim has told him he is fighting for a place with skipper Bruno Fernandes.

From BBC

Former captain Marlie Packer takes over as skipper from Aldcroft, while Mitchell also opts to rest a number of his regular starters in Northampton.

From BBC

Related Words

• captain 
• sea captain