ENGLISH
REFERENCE

trooper

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtɹupɝ// UK //tɹˈuːpɐ// troop·er Informal

n. someone who keeps going or works hard even when things are difficult or they feel unwell. You use this to praise someone for their strength and positive attitude.

n. a person who exhibits perseverance, resilience, or a reliable work ethic in the face of adversity. Often used in the idiomatic expression 'a real trooper' to commend someone's endurance.


SIMPLE

She worked through her cold like a real trooper.

CONTEXTUAL

Even though the hike was exhausting and it started to rain, the kids were total troopers and never complained.

COMPLEX

Despite the grueling schedule and several technical setbacks, the lead developer proved to be a real trooper, staying late every night until the software was finally ready for launch.

Synonyms
Origin

From troop + -er, from French troupe. The sense of “one who endures adversity” comes from trouper (“member of an acting troupe”) but through assimilation with the sense of “soldier” has come to be usually spelled “trooper”.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'a real trooper' to describe someone's character during a difficult period.

Pitfall

He is a real trouperHe is a real trooperWhile 'trouper' refers to a member of a theater company, 'trooper' is the standard spelling for someone who shows endurance, though the two are often confused.

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