skipper

1 of 3

noun (1)

skip·​per ˈski-pər How to pronounce skipper (audio)
1
: any of various erratically active insects (such as a click beetle or a water strider)
2
: one that skips
3
: saury
4
: any of a superfamily (Hesperioidea, especially family Hesperiidae) of lepidopterous insects that visibly differ from the typical butterflies especially in having stout bodies, smaller wings, and usually hooked antennae

skipper

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
: the master of a ship
especially : the master of a fishing, small trading, or pleasure boat
2
: the captain or first pilot of an airplane
3
: a person in a position of leadership
especially : a baseball team's manager

skipper

3 of 3

verb

skip·​per
skippered; skippering ˈski-p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce skipper (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to act as skipper of (a boat or ship)
2
: to act as the principal coach or manager of
skipper a team

Examples of skipper in a Sentence

Verb The boat was skippered by a skilled veteran sailor. He skippered the team to their latest World Series win.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Bob Melvin, in his first year as Giants skipper, made a new team rule that’s been turning heads on a national scale. Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 One of Modric's closest friends made since his 2012 transfer from Tottenham Hotspur is former Madrid skipper and bonafide club legend Sergio Ramos. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 The former Brewers catcher had a 47-46 record in 2018 when St. Louis elected to move on from its skipper and two hitting coaches. Journal Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2024 He had seemingly been supplanted by the younger Hardik Pandya, who replaced him as skipper of IPL powerhouse Mumbai Indians. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Similarly, there might be days when, instead of relying on a skipper to take people out on their eight-person motorboat, the couple will be free to give tours of the Atlantic coastline themselves. Jo Rodgers Jameson Montgomery Roxanne Fequiere Emilia Petrarca Kate Guadagnino Sophie Bew, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024 Heesen gave one passionate skipper one hell of a Christmas present this year. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2023 Regrettably, the skipper ran into several mechanical problems at sea. David Nour, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 Same with manager of the year, which almost always results in the award going to a skipper whose team finished short of a World Series title. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2023
Verb
In the dugout Bruce Bochy, manager: The winningest manager in Padres history, Bochy skippered the Friars from 1995-2006, earning spots in the playoffs in 1996, 2005 and ’06 and a World Series appearance in 1998. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2023 In June, 28 race teams skippered by owners of ClubSwan 36, ClubSwan 42, and ClubSwan 50 yachts gathered in Porto Cervo for the highly competitive the Nations Trophy, hosted by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Helen Iatrou, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2023 Gary Fung, skippering the Maniac and Zsolt in the Wild Thing rounded out the top three. Chris Bieri, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Aug. 2023 With the rise of more accessible peer-to-peer boat rental platforms, marine adventures in the most popular coastal destinations around the world are now at your fingertips, whether that’s a couple of hours on a kayak or a full-day skippered yacht experience. Chrissie McClatchie, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 June 2023 For Johnson, who skippered the Tigers to a title in his second season in Baton Rouge, the day ‒ and opportunity to join the broadcast − is the nexus of his occupation. Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 7 July 2023 We are particularly inspired by the party boat search: Results range from classic Riva runarounds in the Hamptons to skippered luxury wake surf boats in Lake Powell, Arizona. Chrissie McClatchie, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 June 2023 In Croatia, on the other hand, skippering a motorboat of any size is not allowed at all. Chrissie McClatchie, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 June 2023 In one of its many marinas, Irmak Yüksel and her family offer bareboat and skippered charters. Feride Yalav-Heckeroth, CNN, 18 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skipper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Middle Dutch schipper, from schip ship; akin to Old English scip ship — more at ship

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skipper was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near skipper

Cite this Entry

“Skipper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skipper. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

skipper

1 of 2 noun
skip·​per ˈskip-ər How to pronounce skipper (audio)
1
: one that skips
2
: any of various insects that differ from the related butterflies especially in having stout bodies, smaller wings, and usually antennae with curved ends

skipper

2 of 2 noun
: the master of a ship
especially : the master of a fishing, small trading, or pleasure boat
Etymology

Noun

skip (verb) and -er (noun suffix)

Noun

Middle English skipper "the master of a ship," from early Dutch schipper (same meaning), from schip "ship"

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