skipper

Everyday

1. The captain of a ship or boat, especially a small one. tree →
2. (informal, UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ) The captain of a sports team. tree →
3. (informal) A friendly name for a boss or leader, like «Okay, skipper». tree →
4. (verb) To be the captain of a boat or team. tree →
5. A small butterfly that darts quickly from flower to flower. tree →
6. A person who skips. tree →

In the lessons

In sport talk, especially cricket, rugby and football in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, the skipper is the team captain. In stories at sea the skipper gives orders. In nature lessons skippers are little brown or orange butterflies.

Examples

• The skipper steered the fishing boat into the harbour. tree →
• Our skipper scored the winning try. tree →
• She skippered the netball team to victory. tree →
• "Aye, aye, skipper!" laughed the crew. tree →
• England's skipper lifted the trophy. tree →
• A tiny skipper butterfly landed on the thistle. tree →
• Dad calls his boss "skipper" as a joke. tree →
• Then the skipper said: "All good things defend you, Nigel, from sailing near that light. tree →

Note

Countable; verb is regular (skippered). From Dutch «schipper» (shipman). Not just «a person who skips», though that is possible.