Word
chopper
Phoneticschop·per, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtʃɑpɝ/
UK/tʃˈɒpɐ/
Countable noun InformalAviation
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.”
Examples
simple
“We flew to the island on a small chopper.”
contextual
“The news crew arrived by chopper to cover the breaking story live.”
complex
“The rhythmic thumping of the chopper blades filled the valley, a sound that had become synonymous with the chaos of the war.”
Real-World Examples
“The woman says, “You can’t pull up?” before the video stops as the chopper nears the ground.” 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.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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