-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
whippersnapper
noun
whip·per·snap·per
ˈ(h)wi-pər-ˌsna-pər
: a diminutive, insignificant, or presumptuous person
Synonyms
Examples of whippersnapper in a Sentence
some young whippersnapper piped up with a pointless comment
Recent Examples on the Web
And don’t worry, that handsome whippersnapper Jesse Palmer will be there to lend a sympathetic ear along the way.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 Sep. 2024
And winning against all these young whippersnappers still has this clock in shock.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 May 2024
Old fogeys and young whippersnappers put their knowledge of trivia to the test for a second season.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2023
The sensation is akin to being a still-fit grandpa that shows up to a family reunion that’s filled with young whippersnappers.
—Marco Della Cava, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for whippersnapper
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
alteration of snippersnapper
First Known Use
1700, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to whippersnapper
Dictionary Entries Near whippersnapper
Cite this Entry
“Whippersnapper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whippersnapper. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
whippersnapper
noun
whip·per·snap·per
ˈhwip-ər-ˌsnap-ər
ˈwip-
: a small, unimportant, or overly confident person
More from Merriam-Webster on whippersnapper
Britannica English: Translation of whippersnapper for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share