fillip

[ fil-uhp ]
See synonyms for fillip on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an act or instance of striking something with the nail of a finger snapped from the end of a thumb; a smart tap or stroke.

  2. anything that tends to rouse, excite, or revive; a stimulus: Praise is an excellent fillip for waning ambition.

verb (used with object)
  1. to strike with a fillip.

  2. to tap or strike smartly.

  1. to drive by or as by a fillip: Anticipation filliped his passion.

verb (used without object)
  1. to make a fillip with the fingers.

Origin of fillip

1
First recorded in 1525–35; late Middle English filip, fylippe, philippe “to make a signal or sound with thumb and right forefinger”; expressive word of uncertain origin

Words Nearby fillip

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fillip in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fillip

fillip

/ (ˈfɪlɪp) /


noun
  1. something that adds stimulation or enjoyment

  2. the action of holding a finger towards the palm with the thumb and suddenly releasing it outwards to produce a snapping sound

  1. a quick blow or tap made by a finger snapped in this way

verb
  1. (tr) to stimulate or excite

  2. (tr) to strike or project sharply with a fillip

  1. (intr) to make a fillip

Origin of fillip

1
C15 philippe, of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012