noun
Uncommon
stripper
STRIP-uh
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.”
noun
1
A person who takes off their clothes to music as a paid performance, usually in a club or at a private party.
"She worked as a stripper for two years to pay her way through law school."
"They hired a stripper for the stag do."
2
A chemical product or tool used to remove a coating such as paint, varnish or wallpaper from a surface.
"Brush the paint stripper on thickly and leave it for twenty minutes."
"You will need a wire stripper to expose the copper before you connect it."
3
technical In industry, a column or vessel that removes a dissolved gas or volatile component from a liquid.
"The sour water passes through a steam stripper before it is discharged."
How to use stripper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who dances while taking off their clothes for money — or a product that removes paint.
When to use it
The performer sense is neutral-to-blunt; the chemical sense is entirely ordinary.
Memory tip
Note the double p: "striper" with one p means a fish or something with stripes.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
paint stripper
wire stripper
hire a stripper
work as a stripper
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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
View more →
exotic dancer
striptease artist
burlesque dancer
pole dancer
solvent
remover
peeler
striptease
sprigger
stripteaser
ecdysiast
stemmer
Related words
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.
What is the meaning of 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.
