verb

nip

nihp

verb

To pinch or bite quickly and lightly.

"The puppy nipped at my heels the whole walk."

"Careful, the crab will nip your fingers."

To make cold air sting or bite at the skin.

"The frost nipped at our noses on the walk home."

(informal, British) To go somewhere quickly for a short time.

"I'll just nip to the shop for some milk."

noun

A small drink of spirits.

"He took a nip of whisky to warm up."

A sharp bite of cold weather.

"There's a real nip in the air this morning."

How to Use Nip

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo pinch or bite lightly, to sting with cold, to dash somewhere briefly, or a small drink of alcohol.

UK vs US

"Nip to the shop" (meaning a quick errand) is a distinctly British usage.

Common pairings

nip in the bud a nip in the air nip and tuck

Word Forms

nipped past tense, nipped past tense, nipped past tense, nips plural, nips plural, nips plural, nips plural, Nips plural, nips singular, nips singular, nips singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Careful, the crab will _____ your fingers.

Etymology

From late Middle English nippen, related to Low German and Dutch words meaning "to pinch."

Rhymes for nip

snip turnip catnip parsnip

See all rhymes for nip →