clip
klihp
Clip (noun) means a device used to fasten or hold things together. Example: “He fixed the loose cable to the wall with a plastic clip.”
noun
1
A device used to fasten or hold things together.
"He fixed the loose cable to the wall with a plastic clip."
"She wore a small silver clip in her hair."
"She used a clip to keep the papers in order."
2
A short extract taken from a longer video, film, or broadcast.
"Someone shared a short clip of the goal on social media."
"The teacher played a clip from a documentary to start the lesson."
"The funniest clip from the interview went viral overnight."
3
A fast pace or speed, especially informal.
"The train rattled along at a fair clip through the countryside."
"She worked through the pile of letters at a steady clip."
"They were moving at quite a clip to make the deadline."
verb
1
To fasten something with a clip.
"Please clip the microphone to your collar before you go on stage."
"She clipped the two sheets together and handed them over."
"He clipped the badge to his shirt pocket."
2
To cut something short, especially with scissors or shears.
"He clipped the hedge neatly before the guests arrived."
"The groomer clipped the dog's fur for summer."
"She clipped a few words off the end of her sentence."
3
To hit or strike something briefly in passing.
"The cyclist clipped a wing mirror and wobbled but stayed upright."
"I clipped my elbow on the doorframe as I hurried past."
"The car clipped the curb as it turned the corner."
How to use clip
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fastener, a short cut piece of video, the act of cutting something short, or a fast pace.
Common pairings
video clip
paper clip
at a good clip
clip a hedge
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Word forms
- Plural
- clips
- Third person singular
- clips
- Past tense
- clipped, clipt
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He fixed the loose cable to the wall with a plastic _____.
Etymology
From Old English clyppan, "to embrace or clasp" — the "cut" sense developed later, from the idea of gripping something to trim it.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unclip
Related words
Rhymes for clip
See all rhymes for clip →Frequently asked questions
What does “clip” mean?
The word “clip” means a device used to fasten or hold things together. In plain terms, a fastener, a short cut piece of video, the act of cutting something short, or a fast pace.
How do you pronounce “clip”?
“Clip” is pronounced klihp (/klɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “clip” in a sentence?
Here is “clip” used in a sentence: “She used a clip to keep the papers in order.”
What part of speech is “clip”?
Depending on how it is used, “clip” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “clip” come from?
The word “clip” comes from Old English. From Old English clyppan, "to embrace or clasp" — the "cut" sense developed later, from the idea of gripping something to trim it.
Is “clip” a common word?
“Clip” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “clip” have?
“Clip” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device used to fasten or hold things together.
What is the difference between a 'clip' and a 'clasp'?
A 'clip' is a device used to fasten or hold things together, often with a spring or bent metal, such as a paper clip or hair clip. A 'clasp' typically refers to an interlocking fastener that snaps shut, as on a necklace or bag. Clips generally grip by pressure, while clasps lock in place.
What is the difference between a 'clip' and a 'pin'?
A 'clip' holds items together by gripping them between two surfaces without piercing them. A 'pin' usually has a sharp point that pushes through material to hold it. So a clip fastens papers by squeezing, while a pin fastens fabric by passing through it.
What are common types of 'clip'?
Common clips include the paper clip, the bulldog or binder clip for thicker documents, and the hair clip for holding hair in place. In each case, the clip fastens or holds things together, and the word can also be used as a verb, as in 'clip the pages together.'
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