verb B1 Intermediate Common

slip

SLIHP

Slip (verb) means to lose one's footing or grip and slide accidentally. Example: “She slipped on the wet tile and nearly fell.”

verb

To lose one's footing or grip and slide accidentally.

"She slipped on the wet tile and nearly fell."

"The knife slipped and cut his finger."

To move, put, or go somewhere quickly, quietly, or without being noticed.

"He slipped out of the party early."

"She slipped a note into his pocket."

noun

A small piece of paper, often used for a form, receipt, or brief note.

"Keep your deposit slip until the payment clears."

"He wrote his number on a slip of paper."

A minor and usually unintentional mistake.

"It was just a slip of the tongue — I meant to say Tuesday."

A woman's undergarment worn beneath a dress, or a pillowcase-like fabric cover.

"She wore a silk slip under the sheer dress."

How to use slip

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo lose footing/control suddenly, to move somewhere unnoticed, or (as a noun) a small paper form or a minor error.

Common mistake

A "Freudian slip" refers to an accidental verbal mistake thought to reveal a hidden thought — don't confuse with a physical slip (falling).

Common pairings

slip and fall slip up a slip of paper a slip of the tongue let something slip

Word forms

slips plural, slips plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “slip” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Keep your deposit _____ until the payment clears.

Etymology

Probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German "slippe," a word linked to the idea of splitting or cutting away — the sense of a small detached piece.

Origin: German

Synonyms

View more →

slide skid glide sneak steal slither

Related words

pay buy coast appropriate flow shift steal rob

Rhymes for slip

lip clip flip blip

See all rhymes for slip →

Frequently asked questions

What does “slip” mean?

The word “slip” means to lose one's footing or grip and slide accidentally. In plain terms, to lose footing/control suddenly, to move somewhere unnoticed, or (as a noun) a small paper form or a minor error.

How do you pronounce “slip”?

“Slip” is pronounced SLIHP (/ˈslɪp/ in IPA).

How do you use “slip” in a sentence?

Here is “slip” used in a sentence: “She slipped on the wet tile and nearly fell.”

What part of speech is “slip”?

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

Where does the word “slip” come from?

The word “slip” comes from German. Probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German "slippe," a word linked to the idea of splitting or cutting away — the sense of a small detached piece.

Is “slip” a common word?

“Slip” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “slip” have?

“Slip” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to lose one's footing or grip and slide accidentally.

What is the difference between slip and trip?

To slip is to lose your footing or grip and slide accidentally, usually on a smooth or wet surface. To trip is to catch your foot on something and stumble. Slipping involves sliding, while tripping involves an obstacle.

What is the difference between slip and slide?

To slip is usually an accidental loss of footing that happens suddenly and unintentionally. To slide is to move smoothly across a surface, which can be deliberate or accidental. A slip is a mishap, whereas a slide can be controlled.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include slip:

Words that end with P The 5000 most common English words

People also searched

pay buy coast appropriate flow shift steal rob