Word
reaper
US/ˈɹipɝ/
UK/ɹˈiːpɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person or a machine that cuts and gathers crops like wheat or corn. In stories, a skeleton called the Grim Reaper represents death.
n. a person or machine that harvests crops by cutting them. When used in the personified sense of the 'Grim Reaper', it serves as a symbolic representation of death.
Examples
“The reaper worked in the fields from sunrise to sunset.”
“Before modern tractors were invented, every reaper had to cut the grain by hand using a sharp tool.”
“The image of the hooded reaper carrying a scythe remains one of the most enduring archetypes in Western art, representing the inevitable harvest of human souls.”
Examples
simple
“The reaper worked in the fields from sunrise to sunset.”
contextual
“Before modern tractors were invented, every reaper had to cut the grain by hand using a sharp tool.”
complex
“The image of the hooded reaper carrying a scythe remains one of the most enduring archetypes in Western art, representing the inevitable harvest of human souls.”
Usage
Often used metaphorically in the phrase 'the Grim Reaper' to personify death.
Real-World Examples
“A movie extra dressed as the grim reaper in New York City (Credit: Getty Images)
From hurricanes to deadly illnesses, humanity has a habit of personifying the things that threaten us.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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