Standard Lemma guide

dipstick

noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈdɪpstɪk/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪpstɪk
  • CMU ARPABET: D IH1 P S T IH2 K Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A stick or rod used to measure the depth of a liquid. Often used to check the level at which a liquid in an opaque or inaccessible tank or reservoir stands; gauge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I haven't checked the oil level of my car's motor since I lost the dipstick three months ago.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An exciseman or supervisor who measures with a dipstick.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The penis.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A useless person of inferior intellect; a dipshit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, slang

Examples

  • That referee is a right dipstick.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To check (a person) for their understanding of something, as of a lesson, or attitude toward something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To measure the level of a fluid using a dipstick.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: engineering, mechanical, mechanical-engineering, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

Examples

  • If one of the fuel gauges is inoperative (flight is not permitted if both have failed), the tanks have to be dipsticked before and after each fueling to confirm the aircraft's fuel status.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

a graduated rod dipped into a container to indicate the fluid level

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: gauge, gage

History

Etymology

From dip + stick.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: mittatikku — a stick or rod
  • Finnish: öljytikku — a stick or rod
  • French: jauge — a stick or rod
  • Italian: asta di livello — a stick or rod
  • Italian: astina — a stick or rod
  • Polish: bagnet — a stick or rod
  • Russian: щуп (ščup) — a stick or rod
  • Serbo-Croatian: šipka za mjerenje — a stick or rod
  • Spanish: varilla — a stick or rod
  • Spanish: bayoneta — a stick or rod
  • Swedish: oljesticka — a stick or rod
  • German: Vollpfosten — a person of inferior intellect
  • Italian: coglione — a person of inferior intellect
  • Māori: māhunga wai — a person of inferior intellect
  • Polish: idiota — a person of inferior intellect
  • Serbo-Croatian: budala — a person of inferior intellect