Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

snip

American  
[snip] / snɪp /

verb (used with object)

snipped, snipping

  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.

verb (used without object)

snipped, snipping

  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

"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

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

"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

interjection

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

"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

Other Word Forms

  • unsnipped adjective

Etymology

Origin of snip

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

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

Also based in the hall, Tara Mellor from Geek's Barbers is trying to snip away at rising food costs, which have doubled for her six-person household.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2024

He said, “You saw her snip the cord.”

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.