skipper
4 synonyms for skipper, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The person in charge of a ship or boat.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
helmsman
team leader
How to use skipper
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
team skipper
boat skipper
skipper the side
Etymology
From Middle Dutch schipper ("one who works a ship"), from an older Germanic root meaning "ship" — related to the English word "shipper".
Full origin of skipper →Frequently asked questions
What does “skipper” mean?
The word “skipper” means the person in charge of a ship or boat. In plain terms, the person leading a boat or a sports team.
How do you pronounce “skipper”?
“Skipper” is pronounced SKIHP-uh (/ˈskɪp.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “skipper” in a sentence?
Here is “skipper” used in a sentence: “The skipper ordered the crew to head back to port before the storm hit.”
What part of speech is “skipper”?
Depending on how it is used, “skipper” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “skipper” come from?
The word “skipper” comes from Germanic. From Middle Dutch schipper ("one who works a ship"), from an older Germanic root meaning "ship" — related to the English word "shipper".
Is “skipper” a common word?
“Skipper” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “skipper” have?
“Skipper” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the person in charge of a ship or boat.
What is the difference between a skipper and a captain?
Skipper is an informal term for the person in charge of a boat or a sports team, while captain is the more formal or official title used in both contexts. The two words largely overlap in meaning, but skipper carries a more casual, everyday tone.
Can skipper be used as a verb?
Yes, skipper can function as a verb meaning to act as captain of a ship or sports team, as in "he skippered the boat across the channel" or "she skippered the team to victory."
Is skipper only used for boats, or also for sports teams?
Skipper applies to both contexts: it names the person in charge of a ship or boat, and separately, the captain of a sports team. Which meaning applies depends on the surrounding context.
