noun
nipper
NIH-puh
Nipper (noun) means (informal, British) A young child. Example: “He's been coming to this park since he was a little nipper.”
noun
1
(informal, British) A young child.
"No, this is not a creche: nippers should not be running around, fighting under the pool table or generally creating havoc (this applies to dogs, too)."
— Tony Naylor, The new rules of pub etiquette: don't flirt with bar staff or steal the glasses (2018)
"He's been coming to this park since he was a little nipper."
2
The pincer-like claw of a crab or lobster.
"Mind the nippers — that crab can give you quite a pinch."
How to use nipper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slang word for a small child, or the pinching claw of a crab or lobster.
When to use it
Informal and affectionate when used for children.
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Word forms
- Plural
- nippers
- Third person singular
- nippers
- Past tense
- nippered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's been coming to this park since he was a little _____.
Etymology
From nip + -er, "one that nips" — originally used for anything that pinches, later extended affectionately to small children.
Related words
Rhymes for nipper
See all rhymes for nipper →Frequently asked questions
What does “nipper” mean?
The word “nipper” means (informal, British) A young child. In plain terms, a slang word for a small child, or the pinching claw of a crab or lobster.
How do you pronounce “nipper”?
“Nipper” is pronounced NIH-puh (/ˈnɪpə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “nipper” in a sentence?
Here is “nipper” used in a sentence: “He's been coming to this park since he was a little nipper.”
What part of speech is “nipper”?
“Nipper” is a noun.
How many meanings does “nipper” have?
“Nipper” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (informal, British) A young child.
