flippers

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   The broad, flat limbs that seals, penguins and turtles use to swim.

   Grammar: Often plural because animals have two or four: the seal waved its flippers.

   Patterns

   • the flippers of a seal

   The turtle paddled slowly with its large flippers.

   Penguins use their stiff flippers like wings under water.

   The seal slapped its flippers on the rock to attract attention.

2. 2nounplural

   Flat rubber shoes worn by swimmers and divers to move faster through water.

   Grammar: Used in pairs: a pair of flippers.

   Patterns

   • a pair of flippers
   • wear flippers

   She put on her mask and flippers before diving in.

   These flippers are too tight and give me cramps.

   Snorkelers kicked gently in their bright yellow flippers.

Word forms

Common combinations

pair of flippers

He packed a pair of flippers for the beach holiday.

wear flippers

You should wear flippers if you want to swim fast.

put on flippers

Put on your flippers before you step on the boat ladder.

dolphin's flippers

The dolphin's flippers helped it steer in the water.

flap its flippers

The penguin flapped its flippers and slid into the sea.

Synonyms and how they differ

fins

Fins is the usual word for swim equipment in British English and for fish parts, while flippers is used for limbs of mammals and turtles.

paddles

Paddles are hand-held tools for moving a boat, while flippers are body parts or foot gear.

swim fins

Swim fins is a clear, slightly technical name for the foot gear and is the term many divers prefer.

Word family

flipper noun

singular form of the word

flip verb

to turn over quickly

flipping adjective

informal word used to show annoyance

Commonly confused: flippers or flip-flops?

Practice

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