noun
Common
harper
HAH-puh
Harper (noun) means a person who plays the harp. Example: “The harper tuned each string carefully before the concert began.”
noun
1
A person who plays the harp.
"The harper tuned each string carefully before the concert began."
"My grandmother was a talented harper who taught lessons in the village hall."
"A lone harper performed at the wedding reception."
How to use harper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA harp player.
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Word forms
- Plural
- harpers
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The _____ tuned each string carefully before the concert began.
Etymology
From Old English hearpere, literally "one who harps," from harp plus the "-er" agent suffix.
Synonyms
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harpist
harp player
Related words
Rhymes for harper
See all rhymes for harper →Frequently asked questions
What does “harper” mean?
The word “harper” means a person who plays the harp. In plain terms, a harp player.
How do you pronounce “harper”?
“Harper” is pronounced HAH-puh (/ˈhɑː(ɹ)pə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “harper” in a sentence?
Here is “harper” used in a sentence: “A lone harper performed at the wedding reception.”
What part of speech is “harper”?
“Harper” is a noun.
Where does the word “harper” come from?
The word “harper” comes from Old English. From Old English hearpere, literally "one who harps," from harp plus the "-er" agent suffix.
Is “harper” a common word?
“Harper” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a harper and a harpist?
Both words mean a person who plays the harp. Harpist is the standard modern term, especially for classical players, while harper is an older word now used mainly for players of traditional or folk harps, such as Celtic harps.
What do you call someone who plays the harp?
The most common word today is harpist, but harper is an equally correct and older term. Harper is often preferred in traditional and early-music circles.
Is Harper a surname or a job title?
Both. As a common noun, a harper is someone who plays the harp, and the surname Harper began as an occupational name for exactly that job, in the same way as Baker and Smith. It has also become a popular given name in recent years.
Should harper be capitalized?
Write harper in lowercase when it means a musician who plays the harp. Capitalize it only when it is used as a person's name.
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