verb
snip
snihp
Snip (verb) means to cut with a quick, small motion, as with scissors. Example: “She snipped the loose thread off her sleeve.”
verb
1
To cut with a quick, small motion, as with scissors.
"She snipped the loose thread off her sleeve."
noun
1
A small cut, or a small piece cut off something.
"He took a snip of fabric to match the colour later."
2
A bargain — something bought for less than it's worth.
"At that price, the jacket was an absolute snip."
How to use snip
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, quick cut — or, informally in British English, a great bargain.
UK vs US
The "bargain" sense ("it was a snip at that price") is chiefly British.
Common pairings
snip off
a quick snip
a snip at the price
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Word forms
- Plural
- snips
- Third person singular
- snips
- Past tense
- snipped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He took a _____ of fabric to match the colour later.
Etymology
From Dutch or Low German snippen ("to snip, shred"), likely imitating the sound of scissors.
Related words
Rhymes for snip
See all rhymes for snip →Frequently asked questions
What does “snip” mean?
The word “snip” means to cut with a quick, small motion, as with scissors. In plain terms, a small, quick cut — or, informally in British English, a great bargain.
How do you pronounce “snip”?
“Snip” is pronounced snihp (/snɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “snip” in a sentence?
Here is “snip” used in a sentence: “She snipped the loose thread off her sleeve.”
What part of speech is “snip”?
Depending on how it is used, “snip” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “snip” come from?
The word “snip” comes from German. From Dutch or Low German snippen ("to snip, shred"), likely imitating the sound of scissors.
How many meanings does “snip” have?
“Snip” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cut with a quick, small motion, as with scissors.
