noun
kip
kihp
Kip (noun) means British informal: sleep, or a place to sleep. Example: “I'm off for a kip before the party.”
noun
1
British informal: sleep, or a place to sleep.
"I'm off for a kip before the party."
"He crashed on the sofa for a quick kip."
2
The basic monetary unit of Laos.
"Prices in the market were quoted in kip."
verb
1
British informal: to sleep, especially briefly or somewhere makeshift.
"We kipped at my cousin's place after the concert."
How to use kip
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMainly British slang for sleep or a nap; separately, the name of Laos's currency.
When to use it
The sleep sense is informal British/Australian English, rarely used in the US.
Common pairings
have a kip
kip down
a quick kip
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Word forms
- Plural
- kips
- Third person singular
- kips
- Past tense
- kipped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I'm off for a _____ before the party.
Etymology
The "sleep" sense comes from Middle Dutch/Low German "kip," originally meaning a bundle of animal hides — likely linked to cheap, crowded lodging houses called "kip-houses."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for kip
See all rhymes for kip →Frequently asked questions
What does “kip” mean?
The word “kip” means british informal: sleep, or a place to sleep. In plain terms, mainly British slang for sleep or a nap; separately, the name of Laos's currency.
How do you pronounce “kip”?
“Kip” is pronounced kihp (/kɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “kip” in a sentence?
Here is “kip” used in a sentence: “I'm off for a kip before the party.”
What part of speech is “kip”?
Depending on how it is used, “kip” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “kip” come from?
The word “kip” comes from German. The "sleep" sense comes from Middle Dutch/Low German "kip," originally meaning a bundle of animal hides — likely linked to cheap, crowded lodging houses called "kip-houses.".
How many meanings does “kip” have?
“Kip” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: british informal: sleep, or a place to sleep.
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