1 dipstick | Definition of dipstick

dipstick

noun
dip·​stick | \ ˈdip-ËŒstik How to pronounce dipstick (audio) \

Definition of dipstick

1 : a graduated rod for indicating depth (as of oil in a crankcase)
2 [ euphemism for dipshit ] : nitwit
3 : a chemically sensitive strip of paper used to identify one or more constituents (such as glucose or protein) of urine by immersion

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Synonyms for dipstick

Synonyms

berk [British], booby, charlie (also charley) [British], cuckoo, ding-a-ling, ding-dong, dingbat, doofus [slang], featherhead, fool, git [British], goose, half-wit, jackass, lunatic, mooncalf, nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, nut, nutcase, simp, simpleton, turkey, yo-yo

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Examples of dipstick in a Sentence

Some dipstick cut in front of me on the highway. which dipstick used the good china as a dog dish?

Recent Examples on the Web

Usually, they're diagnosed with a dipstick analysis like the one Price took or by sending the urine sample to a lab to look for bacteria. Suzannah Weiss, chicagotribune.com, "For those suffering from chronic urinary tract pain, new tests bring hope," 5 July 2019 But standard dipstick testing, in which a doctor dips a plastic stick into a urine sample to check it for signs of bacteria in the office, kept coming back negative. Suzannah Weiss, chicagotribune.com, "For those suffering from chronic urinary tract pain, new tests bring hope," 5 July 2019 Then, remove the dipstick from its spot, wipe it off on a clean rag or paper towel, and push it back all the way into its home and pull it back out again. Kyle Westwood, Good Housekeeping, "5 Sneaky Signs Your Car Is About to Break Down," 4 Sep. 2018 Other heaters include block heaters that bolt electrical elements to the exterior of the engine, oil heaters that take the place of a dipstick and coolant heaters to keep the antifreeze from, well, freezing. Dwight Adams, Indianapolis Star, "Here's what to do when a car won't start in cold weather," 2 Jan. 2018 The drug identifiers come in a variety of models such as dipsticks and strips, as well as more covert options that look like nail polish, cups, coasters and straws. Andrea Sachs, chicagotribune.com, "Women who travel share a universal issue: Sexual harassment," 15 Dec. 2017 Drivetrain Check the dipsticks for the engine and transmission. Mike Allen, Popular Mechanics, "How To Dry Out Your Flooded Car," 27 Aug. 2017 Insert the dipstick back all the way in, and then pull it out and hold it horizontally to read it. Krista Soriano, Cosmopolitan, "3 Car Things Every Twentysomething Should Know How to Do," 25 Feb. 2016 Cornish also likes the idea of abandoning the dipsticks altogether and making the yeast available as sachets of powder. Ed Yong, The Atlantic, "Turning Baker’s Yeast Into a Disease Sensor," 18 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dipstick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of dipstick

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for dipstick

dipstick

noun

English Language Learners Definition of dipstick

: a long thin piece of metal with marks that are used to show how much of a fluid (such as motor oil) is in a container or an engine
informal : a stupid person

dipstick

noun
dip·​stick | \ ˈdip-ËŒstik How to pronounce dipstick (audio) \

Medical Definition of dipstick

: a chemically sensitive strip of paper used to identify one or more constituents (as glucose or protein) of urine by immersion

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More from Merriam-Webster on dipstick

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with dipstick

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dipstick

Spanish Central: Translation of dipstick

Britannica English: Translation of dipstick for Arabic Speakers