flipper

B2 Topic:The Human Body

US /ˈflɪp.ɚ/ UK /ˈflɪp.ə/ See IPA manual

Freq #24499

Meanings

1

noun
a broad, flat limb adapted for swimming in animals such as whales, seals, turtles, and plesiosaurs

The turtle used its powerful front flippers to move through the water.
2

noun
a rubber or plastic fin worn on the foot to help a swimmer or diver move through water

The diver adjusted one flipper before entering the sea.
3

noun
a flat lever in a pinball machine that the player operates to strike the ball

He pressed the button just in time to move the left flipper.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a broad, flat limb adapted... finpaddle-like limb

2 noun · a rubber or plastic fin... swim finfin

3 noun · a flat lever in a pinball... pinball lever

Word family

Forms flippers

Derived forms flipperlessflipperlikeforeflipperhindflipper

Related forms fin paddlepinball

Etymology

Formed from flip + the agent or instrument suffix -er. The animal limb was named for its broad, flexible movement; the swimming aid and pinball lever were later named for their resemblance in shape or action. Compare Saterland Frisian Flappert ("flipper, wing").

Topics

The Human Body

External links

# flipper

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈflɪp.ɚ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈflɪp.ə/
**Frequency rank:** 24499

## Meanings
1. a broad, flat limb adapted for swimming in animals such as whales, seals, turtles, and plesiosaurs
2. a rubber or plastic fin worn on the foot to help a swimmer or diver move through water
3. a flat lever in a pinball machine that the player operates to strike the ball

## Examples
- The turtle used its powerful front flippers to move through the water.
- The diver adjusted one flipper before entering the sea.
- He pressed the button just in time to move the left flipper.

## Synonyms
- fin
- swim fin
- paddle-like limb

## Derived Forms
- flipperless
- flipperlike
- foreflipper
- hindflipper

## Related Forms
- fin
- paddle
- pinball

## Etymology
Formed from flip + the agent or instrument suffix -er. The animal limb was named for its broad, flexible movement; the swimming aid and pinball lever were later named for their resemblance in shape or action. Compare Saterland Frisian Flappert ("flipper, wing").

## Topics
- The Human Body

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