gaffer

[ gaf-er ]
See synonyms for gaffer on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the chief electrician on the set of a movie or television show.

  2. Informal. an old man.

  1. British Informal.

    • a boss, supervisor, or manager.

    • a foreman or overseer in charge of a group of physical laborers: a factory gaffer.

    • the coach or manager of a sports team.

  2. Glassmaking. a master glassblower responsible for shaping glassware.

Origin of gaffer

1
First recorded in 1565–75; contraction of godfather

Words Nearby gaffer

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use gaffer in a sentence

  • I came to gaffer and Grannie Cressidge as they smiled at each other when eating the apples and bread.

  • Outside a shuttered pub a bunch of loiterers listen to a tale which their brokensnouted gaffer rasps out with raucous humour.

    Ulysses | James Joyce

British Dictionary definitions for gaffer

gaffer

/ (ˈɡæfə) /


noun
  1. an old man, esp one living in the country: often used affectionately or patronizingly: Compare gammer

  2. informal, mainly British a boss, foreman, or owner of a factory, mine, etc

  1. the senior electrician on a television or film set

Origin of gaffer

1
C16: alteration of godfather

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012