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
1
A wide, flat limb used for swimming, found on animals such as whales, seals, and turtles.
"The seal slapped its flipper against the water."
2
A flat rubber fin worn on the foot to aid swimming.
"She put on her flippers before diving into the reef."
3
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- flippers
- Third person singular
- flippers
- Past tense
- flippered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The seal slapped its _____ against the water.
Etymology
From flip + the agent suffix -er.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for flipper
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.
