ripper

[ rip-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that rips. rip.
2. Also ripper bill, ripper act. a legislative bill or act for taking powers of appointment to and removal from office away from the usual holders of these powers and conferring them unrestrictedly on a chief executive, as a governor or mayor, or on a board of officials.
3. a double-ripper.
4. a killer who dispatches and often mutilates victims with a knife or similar weapon.
5. Mining. a hooklike tool, attached to earth-moving machinery, for tearing away ore, rock, etc.
6. Chiefly British Slang. something especially strong, fine, or good of its kind.

ripper

/ ˈrɪpə /

noun

1. a person who rips
2. a murderer who dissects or mutilates his victims' bodies
3. informal.
   a fine or excellent person or thing

Word History and Origins

Origin of ripper¹

First recorded in 1605–15; rip ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

But the Grammys punted on other easy choices for rock categories — no Dolly Parton for her feel-good ripper “Rockstar,” no Hozier for the streaming smash “Unreal Unearth,” no nod for young guitar god Mk.gee for “Two Star & The Dream Police?”

From Los Angeles Times

With the used pitch suddenly alive, Sajid had Joe Root drag on, enticed Duckett into an edge, then bowled Harry Brook with a ripper.

From BBC

This is a long way from confirming the anti-fluoride conspiracy theories made famous by classic movies like "Dr. Strangelove," in which Gen. Jack D. Ripper says "Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous communist plot we have ever had to face?"

From Salon

The 91-year-old Nelson is accompanied by another one of America’s greatest living songwriters, Bob Dylan, a third Rock & Roll Hall of Famer in John Mellencamp and new-school star Billy Strings — a progressive bluegrass ripper who could probably headline the Gorge on his own.

From Seattle Times

He has gone to lengths to appear hale, skiing with a professional snowboarder and with an Olympic gold medalist who called him a “ripper” as they raced down the mountain.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• cutter
• dagger
• machete
• scalpel
• sickle
• skewer
• sword