Word Noun
chopper
n.
countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈtʃɑpɝ/ UK /tʃˈɒpɐ/ chop·per UK spelling chopper's, chopper's, choppered
Definition
n.a helicopter. You use this word in informal speech to sound casual or dramatic.
n.a helicopter, especially in informal or military contexts. Often used to evoke speed, noise, or urgency.
Examples
“We flew to the island on a small chopper.”
“The news crew arrived by chopper to cover the breaking story live.”
“The rhythmic thumping of the chopper blades filled the valley, a sound that had become synonymous with the chaos of the war.”
Etymology
From chop + -er.
From the onomatopoeia for the "chop-chop" sound emitted by the main rotor blades of the Bell 47 'OH-13 Sioux' "Angel of Mercy" helicopter, encountered by troops during the Korean War.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated