trouper
trouper Lexical Profile
trouper Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A reliable, resilient, and uncomplaining person who perseveres admirably through difficult, tiring, or unpleasant circumstances.
"Despite nursing a sprained ankle all afternoon, she was a real trouper and helped us finish moving the boxes."
An actor, singer, or other entertainer who is a member of a theatrical troupe, especially a seasoned performer with long experience.
"The veteran trouper had spent forty years touring regional theaters across the country."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'trouper' with its homophone 'trooper'. A 'trouper' is a theatrical performer or a resilient, dependable person who perseveres without complaining, whereas a 'trooper' refers to a cavalry soldier, mounted police officer, or state police officer.
• Rhymes for trouper
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-19th century from the English noun 'troupe' (a company of actors or performers, borrowed from French) plus the agentive suffix '-er'. The figurative sense of a dependable, uncomplaining person arose from the theatrical tradition that 'the show must go on' despite hardship.