stripper
Stripper (noun) means a person who takes off their clothes to music as a paid performance, usually in a club or at a private party. Example: “She worked as a stripper for two years to pay her way through law school.”
How to Use Stripper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who dances while taking off their clothes for money — or a product that removes paint.
The performer sense is neutral-to-blunt; the chemical sense is entirely ordinary.
Note the double p: "striper" with one p means a fish or something with stripes.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She worked as a _____ for two years to pay her way through law school.
Etymology
From the verb strip "to remove a covering" plus the agent suffix -er.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for stripper
See all rhymes for stripper →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a stripper and an exotic dancer?
They describe the same job. "Exotic dancer" is the more neutral or professional term, often preferred by performers and used in job listings, while "stripper" is the everyday word and can sound blunt or dismissive depending on tone.
Is stripper an offensive word?
It is not a slur, and many performers use it about themselves. It can still carry stigma, so in formal or respectful contexts "dancer" or "exotic dancer" is the safer choice.
What does stripper mean in DIY?
It means a paint or varnish remover — a chemical gel or liquid that softens an old finish so it can be scraped off — or a hand tool such as a wire stripper that removes insulation from cable.