# ripper

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹɪpə/ · frequency rank #21,639

## Definitions
1. Something that rips something else.
2. Someone who rips something.
3. A legislative bill or act that transfers powers of appointment from the usual holders to a chief executive or a board of officials.
4. A murderer who kills and often mutilates victims with a blade or similar sharp weapon.
5. A hook-like tool used to tear away ore, rock, etc.
6. A person employed to tear away ore, rock, etc. to make a passage for material to be carried to the surface.
7. Something that is an excellent example of its kind.
8. Software that extracts content from files or storage media.
9. A tool or plant used to reduce soil compaction.
10. A hot dog deep-fried in oil until the casing bursts.
11. A foghorn.

## Etymology
From rip + -er; originated 1605–15.

## Easily confused with
- **river** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ripper-vs-river)
- **roper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ripper-vs-roper)
- **riser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ripper-vs-riser)
- **ripple** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ripper-vs-ripple)
- **ritter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ripper-vs-ritter)
- **ripe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ripe-vs-ripper)
- **rider** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rider-vs-ripper)
- **ripen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ripen-vs-ripper)
- **ripped** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ripped-vs-ripper)
- **rapper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rapper-vs-ripper)
- **richer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/richer-vs-ripper)
- **reaper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reaper-vs-ripper)
- **Ripley** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ripley-vs-ripper)
- **ringer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ringer-vs-ripper)
- **rapier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rapier-vs-ripper)

## Common misspellings (7)
`irpper`, `ripepr`, `riper`, `ripperr`, `rippre`, `rpiper`, `rripper`

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