flipper

[US]/'flɪpə/
[UK]/ˈflɪpɚ/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. a fin-like limb; a fin; a pancake
vi. to move by means of flippers (or duckboards)
adj. [informal] impolite.

Phrases & Collocations

dolphin flipper

penguin flipper

swim with flippers

Example Sentences

a seal's flipper is homologous with the human arm.

it swam away in a flurry of wings and flippers, raising a snowstorm of foam.

He used a flipper to turn the pancakes.

The seal swam gracefully with its flippers.

The diver wore flippers to swim faster.

The penguin waddled on the ice with its flippers.

The dolphin used its flippers to perform tricks in the water.

She flipped the pancake with a flipper.

The sea turtle glided through the water with its powerful flippers.

The swimmer kicked with powerful flippers to propel through the water.

The otter used its flipper to catch fish in the river.

The trainer taught the seal to balance a ball on its flipper.

Real-world Examples

And the flipper of a penguin for swimming.

Source: Interpretation of Dinosaurs (Audio Version)

And they use their flippers, sort of extended out to the side, to maneuver.

Source: Science in 60 Seconds: April 2018 Compilation

For some reason, they almost always use the right flipper to waft the sand away.

Source: Nordic Wild Style Chronicles

But I always just kind of give it the flipper and move on.

Source: VOA Standard English Entertainment

The Brygmophyseter uses its flipper to steer, it is literally rudderless without it.

Source: Jurassic Fight Club

The toughest part about being a flipper is really the unknown and the what-if.

Source: CNN 10 Student English January 2022 Collection

This beetle's flippers are truly sophisticated, bordered with a fringe of hairs.

Source: Insect Kingdom Season 2 (Original Soundtrack Version)

Wetsuit, flippers, now, all it needs is a air tank.

Source: Insect Kingdom Season 2 (Original Soundtrack Version)

Kell is still learning how to maneuver with his giant flippers, which seem more like giant wings.

Source: Whale's Extraordinary Journey

Because water is a lot denser than the air, we humans need flippers to move around.

Source: Insect Kingdom Season 2 (Original Soundtrack Version)

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