noun

sapper

SAP-er

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Sapper (noun) means a sapper is a military engineer who works in a combat zone, building or destroying fortifications, bridges and roads. Example: “The sappers cleared a path through the minefield before the advance.”

noun

A sapper is a military engineer who works in a combat zone, building or destroying fortifications, bridges and roads.

"The sappers cleared a path through the minefield before the advance."

"Sappers built a temporary bridge so the convoy could cross the river."

"A sapper's job can mean digging trenches one day and defusing devices the next."

UK, colloquial In Britain, a sapper is an officer or private soldier of the Royal Engineers.

"He joined up as a sapper straight out of school."

"Her grandfather served as a sapper with the Royal Engineers during the war."

How to use sapper

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sapper is a soldier trained in the practical engineering work that armies need in the field.

When to use it

The Royal Engineers sense is informal British usage; the wider military engineer sense is neutral.

Memory tip

If you meet sapper in a British context, it usually just means a soldier of the Royal Engineers.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

combat engineer clear a minefield build a bridge Royal Engineers

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ cleared a path through the minefield before the advance.

Etymology

Sapper was borrowed from the Middle French sappeur, related to the modern French sapeur. It can also be read as sap plus the suffix -er, from the older meaning of sap as digging a trench toward an enemy position.

Origin: Middle French

Rhymes for sapper

dapper rapper clapper crapper slapper trapper wrapper snapper kidnapper

See all rhymes for sapper →

Frequently asked questions

What does a sapper do?

A sapper is a military engineer who builds or destroys structures such as bridges, roads and fortifications, often under combat conditions.

Is a sapper the same as an engineer?

A sapper is a type of military engineer, specifically one who works in or near a combat zone.

Why are British army engineers called sappers?

In the UK, members of the Royal Engineers are informally called sappers, a name that comes from their historical work digging trenches and saps.

What is the meaning of sapper?

"sapper" (noun) means a sapper is a military engineer who works in a combat zone, building or destroying fortifications, bridges and roads.