noun
Uncommon
viper
VYP
Viper (noun) means a venomous snake, especially one of the family that includes adders and rattlesnakes. Example: “The hikers gave the sunbathing viper a wide berth.”
noun
1
A venomous snake, especially one of the family that includes adders and rattlesnakes.
"The hikers gave the sunbathing viper a wide berth."
"A viper bite can be dangerous without prompt treatment."
2
A treacherous, spiteful, or dangerous person.
"She called her ex-business partner a viper who'd stab anyone in the back for profit."
How to use viper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA poisonous snake, or, describing a person, someone sly and dangerous to trust.
Common pairings
a nest of vipers
a venomous viper
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Word forms
- Plural
- vipers
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The hikers gave the sunbathing _____ a wide berth.
Etymology
From Latin vipera, itself a contraction of vivipara ("bringing forth live young"), since vipers give birth to live offspring rather than laying eggs.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for viper
See all rhymes for viper →Frequently asked questions
What does “viper” mean?
The word “viper” means a venomous snake, especially one of the family that includes adders and rattlesnakes. In plain terms, a poisonous snake, or, describing a person, someone sly and dangerous to trust.
How do you pronounce “viper”?
“Viper” is pronounced VYP (/ˈvaɪpɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “viper” in a sentence?
Here is “viper” used in a sentence: “The hikers gave the sunbathing viper a wide berth.”
What part of speech is “viper”?
“Viper” is a noun.
Where does the word “viper” come from?
The word “viper” comes from Latin. From Latin vipera, itself a contraction of vivipara ("bringing forth live young"), since vipers give birth to live offspring rather than laying eggs.
Is “viper” a common word?
“Viper” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “viper” have?
“Viper” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a venomous snake, especially one of the family that includes adders and rattlesnakes.
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