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verb

Doppler

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Doppler (verb) means (informal) To pass by while emitting a sound whose pitch changes due to the Doppler effect. Example: “The ambulance dopplered past, its siren dropping in pitch.”

verb
1
(informal) To pass by while emitting a sound whose pitch changes due to the Doppler effect.
"The ambulance dopplered past, its siren dropping in pitch."
"The race car dopplered past."

How to use Doppler

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNamed after the physicist Doppler; used informally as a verb for the pitch-shift effect of a passing sound.

Common pairings
Doppler effect Doppler radar
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Word forms

Third person singular
dopplers
Past tense
dopplered
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The ambulance _____ past, its siren dropping in pitch.

Etymology

From the surname of Austrian physicist Christian Doppler, who first described the effect in 1842.

· First attested 1842

Class of 1842 Doppler joined the language around 1842.
See the full Class of 1842 →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Doppler” mean?
The word “Doppler” means (informal) To pass by while emitting a sound whose pitch changes due to the Doppler effect. In plain terms, named after the physicist Doppler; used informally as a verb for the pitch-shift effect of a passing sound.
How do you use “Doppler” in a sentence?
Here is “Doppler” used in a sentence: “The ambulance dopplered past, its siren dropping in pitch.”
What part of speech is “Doppler”?
“Doppler” is a verb.
Where does the word “Doppler” come from?
The word “Doppler” dates back to around 1842. From the surname of Austrian physicist Christian Doppler, who first described the effect in 1842.