[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/ripper/)

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# ripper

noun (a ripper, rippers); adjective (ripper — Australia, NZ slang)

«ripper» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A ripper is a person or tool that rips or tears things. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ripper/#m1)
2. (Australia, NZ, slang) «Ripper!» means great or excellent; «a ripper» is something really good. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ripper/#m2)
3. «Jack the Ripper» is the name given to an unknown murderer in London long ago; this is a grim, adult part of history. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ripper/#m3)

### In the lessons

In Australian and New Zealand speech it is cheerful praise («You little ripper!»). In history it may come up with Victorian London. As a tool word, a «seam ripper» unpicks stitches in sewing. Phrases: «You little ripper!», «a ripper of a day», «seam ripper».

### Examples

- That was a ripper of a game, mate! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ripper/#x1)
- «You little ripper!» Grandpa shouted when we won. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ripper/#x2)
- Mum used a seam ripper to undo the wrong stitches. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ripper/#x3)
- It was a ripper day at the beach. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ripper/#x4)
- Bluey's dad might call a good cake a ripper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ripper/#x5)
- The police never caught Jack the Ripper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ripper/#x6)

### Note

The slang sense is informal and friendly, mainly Australian and New Zealand. Countable noun: rippers. The name «Jack the Ripper» is about real murders and is not a joke word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «ripper» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ripper/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ripper» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ripper.html) on Mova free.