noun

blip

blihp

Blip (noun) means a small, brief signal or dot, such as one seen on a radar screen. Example: “A single blip appeared on the radar and then vanished.”

noun

A small, brief signal or dot, such as one seen on a radar screen.

"A single blip appeared on the radar and then vanished."

A minor, temporary change that departs from the normal pattern.

"Analysts called the drop in sales a temporary blip, not a trend."

"It was just a blip in an otherwise steady recovery."

verb

To briefly rev an engine, especially when changing gear.

"The driver blipped the throttle on the downshift into the corner."

How to use blip

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small, short-lived signal or irregularity — often used to downplay a change as temporary and not significant.

Common pairings

a blip on the radar just a blip a temporary blip

Word forms

blipped past tense, blips plural, blips singular

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A single _____ appeared on the radar and then vanished.

Etymology

An imitative (onomatopoeic) word, mimicking the short electronic beep of the sound or signal it describes.

Synonyms

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pip radar target

Related words

seed Philip Phillip pip beep Pippa

Rhymes for blip

lip slip clip flip

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Frequently asked questions

What does “blip” mean?

The word “blip” means a small, brief signal or dot, such as one seen on a radar screen. In plain terms, a small, short-lived signal or irregularity — often used to downplay a change as temporary and not significant.

How do you pronounce “blip”?

“Blip” is pronounced blihp (/blɪp/ in IPA).

How do you use “blip” in a sentence?

Here is “blip” used in a sentence: “A single blip appeared on the radar and then vanished.”

What part of speech is “blip”?

Depending on how it is used, “blip” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “blip” have?

“Blip” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, brief signal or dot, such as one seen on a radar screen.

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seed Philip Phillip pip beep Pippa