ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Gaffer

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ɡæfɚ/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Gaffer is a noun meaning (film) A chief lighting technician for a motion-picture or television production.

Meaning

(film) A chief lighting technician for a motion-picture or television production.

More Meanings

  1. A glassblower.
  2. Someone aboard a boat whose duty is to gaff a (large) fish once the angler has reeled it in.
  3. (colloquial) An old person, usually a man.
  4. (UK, informal) The leader of a group or team, such as a boss, foreman, coach, or publican.
  5. A sailor.
  6. (Canada) The baby in the house.

Example Sentences

And you're here to tell me what's what. Just like your bloody gaffer promised.
The apprentice carries a gather of glass on the blowpipe to the gaffer's bench […]
If thou return not, Gammer o'er her pail Will sing in sorrow, 'neath the brinded cow, And Gaffer sigh over his nut-brown ale […]

Word Forms

Synonyms for gaffer

Depending on context, synonyms include antique, foreman, honcho, old-timer, mossback, boss.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include foreman, boss, honcho, old-timer, chief, antique.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.