Word
flipper
Phoneticsflip·per, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɫɪpɝ/
UK/flˈɪpɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who buys something and sells it quickly for a profit. You often hear this in art or finance when someone tries to make money fast.
n. an individual who purchases an asset or item with the intention of reselling it at a higher price within a short period.
Examples
“He is a professional flipper who buys old cars and sells them.”
“The market became so competitive that even a casual flipper could make a significant profit in a single week.”
“While some investors prefer long-term growth, the rise of digital marketplaces has turned many into opportunistic flippers seeking immediate liquidity from minor price fluctuations.”
Examples
simple
“He is a professional flipper who buys old cars and sells them.”
contextual
“The market became so competitive that even a casual flipper could make a significant profit in a single week.”
complex
“While some investors prefer long-term growth, the rise of digital marketplaces has turned many into opportunistic flippers seeking immediate liquidity from minor price fluctuations.”
Real-World Examples
“The turtle, as clumsy on land as she is elegant in the water, tosses some sand with her flippers, then lets out a low sigh.” “Two fist-shaped sensors sit atop the playfield, to the left and right of the flippers.” Etymology
From flip + -er. Compare Saterland Frisian Flappert (“flipper, wing”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
The word in film
Poster: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Flipper · 1963 · Adventure
- Directed by:
- James B. Clark
- Starring:
- Chuck Connors, Luke Halpin, Kathleen Maguire
James B. Clark directs this beloved family adventure film about a twelve-year-old boy in the Florida Keys who rescues and befriends an injured bottlenose dolphin. The title names the aquatic creature after the characteristic flat appendages it uses to propel itself effortlessly through coastal waters.
Domains
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/flipper