What does striper mean?
A striper is, in one sense, someone who strips, particularly a performer who removes clothing for entertainment. This use sounds comparatively restrained and somewhat old-fashioned beside the more common word “stripper.” In North American English, however, “striper” also refers to a striped bass, a large predatory fish sought by recreational and commercial fishermen. The fishing sense often carries an additional implication of size, strength, or an impressive catch: someone may describe catching a particularly large fish as catching a real striper. Because the word’s meanings range from adult entertainment to sport fishing, its context matters greatly. A strip club uses the term in its first sense, while a fishing report about a powerful fish typically uses it in the second.
nounA person who strips, especially one who performs by removing clothing. Also, a striped bass, particularly in North American fishing and informal usage.
- A person who removes clothing, especially as a performer.
- A striped bass, especially in North American fishing and informal usage.
"The fishermen hoped to catch a large striper before the storm reached the coast."
"The club hired a professional striper for the evening's entertainment."
"She landed a magnificent striper and brought it alongside the boat."
Plural forms are used for multiple performers or fish.
"Several stripers were released after the tournament."
A “striper” can mean a stage performer or one of North America’s most prized game fish.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does striper come from?
The word is an English agent-noun formed by adding the suffix “-er” to the verb “strip.” It therefore literally means “one that strips,” a sense associated with someone who removes clothing. The separate name for the striped bass developed as an informal shortening of “striped bass,” with the long i reflecting the usual pronunciation of “striping.” The related words “strip” and “stripe” share an English verbal and nominal history, although their precise development is more complicated than their modern spelling suggests.
How striper is actually used
The word can sound informal or euphemistic when referring to a performer. In the fishing sense, it is especially associated with North America, where striped bass are commonly called stripers.
Easily confused with striper
Both words can refer to someone who removes clothing, but “stripper” is the more usual form for a performer, while “striper” can also denote a striped bass.