noun

flipper

FLIH-puh

Flipper (noun) means a wide, flat limb used for swimming, found on animals such as whales, seals, and turtles. Example: “The seal slapped its flipper against the water.”

noun

A wide, flat limb used for swimming, found on animals such as whales, seals, and turtles.

"The seal slapped its flipper against the water."

A flat rubber fin worn on the foot to aid swimming.

"She put on her flippers before diving into the reef."

A moving lever in a pinball machine used to hit the ball.

"He tapped the flipper button just in time to save the ball."

How to Use Flipper

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA flat swimming limb (on an animal or worn as gear), or the paddle in a pinball machine.

Common pairings

pair of flippers pinball flipper

Word Forms

flippered past tense, flippers plural, flippers singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The seal slapped its _____ against the water.

Etymology

From flip + the agent suffix -er.

Rhymes for flipper

zipper nipper tipper ripper kipper dipper skipper slipper chipper clipper

See all rhymes for flipper →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “flipper” mean?

The word “flipper” means a wide, flat limb used for swimming, found on animals such as whales, seals, and turtles. In plain terms, a flat swimming limb (on an animal or worn as gear), or the paddle in a pinball machine.

How do you pronounce “flipper”?

“Flipper” is pronounced FLIH-puh (/ˈflɪpɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “flipper” in a sentence?

Here is “flipper” used in a sentence: “The seal slapped its flipper against the water.”

What part of speech is “flipper”?

“Flipper” is a noun.

How many meanings does “flipper” have?

“Flipper” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wide, flat limb used for swimming, found on animals such as whales, seals, and turtles.