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gaffer

[ gaf-er ]
/ ˈgæf ər /
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See synonyms for gaffer on Thesaurus.com
noun
the chief electrician on the set of a movie or television show.
Informal. an old man.
British Informal.
  1. a boss, supervisor, or manager.
  2. a foreman or overseer in charge of a group of physical laborers: a factory gaffer.
  3. the coach or manager of a sports team.
Glassmaking. a master glassblower responsible for shaping glassware.
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Origin of gaffer

First recorded in 1565–75; contraction of godfather

Words nearby gaffer

Gaelic football, Gaeltacht, Gaeta, gaff, gaffe, gaffer, gaffer tape, gaffle, Gaffney, gaff rig, gaff-rigged
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to gaffer

elder, founder, grandfather, ruler, ancestor, architect, author, chief, creator, father, generator, graybeard, head, inventor, maker, master, originator, paterfamilias, senior, sire

How to use gaffer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gaffer

gaffer
/ (ˈɡæfə) /
noun
an old man, esp one living in the country: often used affectionately or patronizinglyCompare gammer
informal, mainly British a boss, foreman, or owner of a factory, mine, etc
the senior electrician on a television or film set

Word Origin for gaffer

C16: alteration of godfather
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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