# flipper

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈflɪpə/ · frequency rank #36,985

## Definitions
1. In marine mammals such as whales (or other aquatic animals such as sea turtles), a wide, flat limb adapted for swimming.
2. A wide, flat, paddle-like rubber covering for the foot, used in swimming.
3. A flat lever in a pinball machine, triggered by the player to strike the ball and keep it in play.
4. A small flat used to support a larger one.
5. A type of ball bowled by a leg spin bowler, which spins backwards and skids off the pitch with a low bounce.
6. Television remote control, clicker.
7. The hand.
8. A kind of false tooth, usually temporary.
9. A kitchen spatula.
10. Someone who flips, in the sense of buying a house or other asset and selling it quickly for profit.
11. Someone who flips in any other sense, for example throwing a coin.

## Etymology
From flip + -er. Compare Saterland Frisian Flappert (“flipper, wing”).

## Easily confused with
- **flier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/flier-vs-flipper)
- **flipped** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/flipped-vs-flipper)
- **flicker** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/flicker-vs-flipper)

## Common misspellings (9)
`fflipper`, `filpper`, `flipepr`, `fliper`, `flipperr`, `flippre`, `fllipper`, `flpiper`, `lfipper`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/flipper