noun
fillip
FIL-ip
Fillip (noun) means something that gives a sudden boost, lift or stimulus to an activity, mood or market. Example: “The tax cut gave a welcome fillip to consumer spending.”
noun
1
Something that gives a sudden boost, lift or stimulus to an activity, mood or market.
"The tax cut gave a welcome fillip to consumer spending."
"Winning the away leg was just the fillip the squad needed."
2
dated A quick flick made by pressing a finger against the thumb and releasing it sharply.
"He gave the cork a fillip and sent it skidding across the table."
verb
1
formal To strike or propel something with a quick flick of the finger, or to stimulate something into greater activity.
"She filliped a crumb off her sleeve."
How to use fillip
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA little push that makes something go better.
When to use it
Chiefly journalistic and slightly formal; most common in British business and sports writing in the phrase "give a fillip to".
Memory tip
It is spelt with two l's and one p — not "Philip" and not "fillup".
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
give a fillip to
a welcome fillip
a much-needed fillip
a fillip for the economy
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The tax cut gave a welcome _____ to consumer spending.
Etymology
Late Middle English, probably imitative of the sound of a finger being flicked from the thumb.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fillip
See all rhymes for fillip →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a fillip and a boost?
They mean much the same thing, but fillip is rarer, more formal and suggests a modest, well-timed lift rather than a large one. You would say a share price got a fillip from good news, but a rocket gets a boost.
Is fillip related to the name Philip?
No. The name Philip comes from Greek and means lover of horses, whereas fillip is an English word that probably imitates the snapping sound of a flicked finger. The similarity is coincidental.
What is the meaning of fillip?
"fillip" (noun) means something that gives a sudden boost, lift or stimulus to an activity, mood or market.
What is another word for fillip?
Other words for "fillip" include boost, stimulus, spur, lift, impetus, bonus.
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