Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Dapper /dăp'-ẽr/ · Dap·per · IPA /ˈdæpə(ɹ)/ 01 a. Little and active; spruce; trim; smart; neat in dress or appearance; lively. 1. Little and active; spruce; trim; smart; neat in dress or appearance; lively. “He wondered how so many provinces could be held in subjection by such a dapper little man.” — Milton. “The dapper ditties that I wont devise.” — Spenser. “Sharp-nosed, dapper steam yachts.” — Julian Hawthorne.