snip

American  

[snip] / snɪp /

verb (used with object)

snips, present (3rd person singular) snipped, past participle, past snipping present participle

1. to cut with a small, quick stroke, or a succession of such strokes, with scissors or the like.

2. to remove or cut off (something) by or as by cutting in this manner.

   to snip a rose.

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verb (used without object)

snips, present (3rd person singular) snipped, past participle, past snipping present participle

1. to cut with small, quick strokes.

noun

1. the act of snipping, as with scissors.

2. a small cut made by snipping.

3. a small piece snipped off.

4. a small piece, bit, or amount of anything.

   a snip of food.

5. Informal. a small or insignificant person.

6. Informal. a presumptuous or impertinent person.

7. snips, small, strong hand shears used by sheet metal workers.

8. British Informal. a bargain.

snip British  

/ snɪp /

verb

1. to cut or clip with a small quick stroke or a succession of small quick strokes, esp with scissors or shears

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noun

1. the act of snipping

2. the sound of scissors or shears closing

3. Also called: snipping.  a small piece of anything, esp one that has been snipped off

4. a small cut made by snipping

5. an informal word for bargain

6. informal something easily done; cinch

7. informal a small or insignificant person or thing, esp an irritating or insolent one

interjection

1. (often reiterated) a representation of the sound of scissors or shears closing

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unsnipped
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has snipped
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have snipped
  perfect
• have been snipping
  perfect progressive
• is snipping
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been snipping
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• snips
  singular 3rd person
• are snipping
  progressive
• am snipping
  progressive 1st person singular
• snipping
  participle

Past

• had snipped
  perfect
• had been snipping
  perfect progressive
• was snipping
  progressive singular
• snipped
  simple
• snipped
  participle
• were snipping
  progressive plural

Future

• will snip
  simple
• will have snipped
  perfect
• will be snipping
  progressive
• will have been snipping
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of snip

1550–60; origin uncertain; compare Dutch, Low German snippen to snip, catch, clip

Explanation

To snip is to cut with short, quick strokes, the way you'd snip your bangs in the mirror, or snip off a loose thread hanging from your jacket. A gardener snips dead blooms from a plant so new ones can grow, and a dog groomer carefully snips the hair covering your terrier's face so she can see where she's going. Snip is also a noun: "I saved a snip of the baby's hair to put in your scrapbook." The noun came first, initially meaning "a small piece of cut out cloth." In the 16th century, it was also a common nickname for a tailor.

Example Sentences

They are quick to snip losses and quick to take profits.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

The £8.5m paid to Djurgarden in February 2024 - before loaning him back to the Swedish club for the rest of the season - already looks a snip.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2025

Artichoke Potato Salad, on the other hand, is ladies luncheon, serve in a pretty bowl, snip some fresh dill, bring on the flavor, bring on the texture, pizzaz-y potato salad.

From Salon • May 9, 2024

“You pinch or snip six times, and then you’re going to go to 12, and then you’re going to go to 18,” Selody said.

From Seattle Times • May 1, 2024

He'd asked Big Harm's husband, who shares the Das surname because he's some sort of relative, to snip a lock of Baba's hair and put it in the urn before...

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• shear
• shred