noun
peeler
PEE-luh
Peeler (noun) means a kitchen tool used to remove the skin from fruits and vegetables. Example: “Use the peeler to take the skin off the carrots.”
noun
1
A kitchen tool used to remove the skin from fruits and vegetables.
"Use the peeler to take the skin off the carrots."
2
British slang for a police officer.
"It was Jem and Georgie that was in mortal danger, true, but there was not one of us that wanted the peelers asking us questions."
— James Benmore, Dodger (2013)
"How do you fight back to get your right back to walk free down the street when your name and address singles you out for every Peeler on the beat?"
— “Don’t Hand Me Over”, Don’t Hand Me Over (2004)
"A peeler stopped the driver for speeding through the village."
How to use peeler
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually the kitchen gadget for peeling vegetables; also an old-fashioned British word for a police officer.
When to use it
The "police officer" sense is dated British slang, not common in modern speech.
Common pairings
vegetable peeler
potato peeler
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Word forms
- Plural
- peelers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Use the _____ to take the skin off the carrots.
Etymology
The police sense comes from the surname of Sir Robert Peel, who founded London's Metropolitan Police — the same source as the nickname "bobby."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for peeler
See all rhymes for peeler →Frequently asked questions
What does “peeler” mean?
The word “peeler” means a kitchen tool used to remove the skin from fruits and vegetables. In plain terms, usually the kitchen gadget for peeling vegetables; also an old-fashioned British word for a police officer.
How do you pronounce “peeler”?
“Peeler” is pronounced PEE-luh (/ˈpiːlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “peeler” in a sentence?
Here is “peeler” used in a sentence: “Use the peeler to take the skin off the carrots.”
What part of speech is “peeler”?
“Peeler” is a noun.
How many meanings does “peeler” have?
“Peeler” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a kitchen tool used to remove the skin from fruits and vegetables.
