VIP

American  

[vee-ahy-pee] / ˈviˈaɪˈpi /

Or V.I.P.

Informal.

1. very important person.

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VIP British  

abbreviation

1. very important person

2. visually impaired person

3. vasoactive intestinal peptide: a polypeptide secreted by the small intestine during digestion and also found in the brain as a neurotransmitter: large amounts in the blood cause diarrhoea

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VIP Cultural  

1. An abbreviation for “V ery I mportant P erson”: “The luncheon will be exclusive, with VIPs only.”

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Usage

What does VIP mean? VIP (or V. I. P.) is an abbreviation of very important person. VIP is an informal way to refer to someone who is notable in some way and is given special treatment in a particular setting. It is also used to describe things involving special access for such people, as in phrases like VIP treatment or VIP pass. The plural of VIP is VIPs. Example: The hotel provides additional security for the rooms reserved by VIPs like heads of state.

Etymology

Origin of VIP

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Andrei says he also kept fans updated on which celebrities were watching the show in the VIP area and the variations he noticed in Taylor Swift's costumes during each show.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

The memecoin’s 29 biggest holders were invited to a VIP reception with the president.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

Two listings on StubHub.co.uk offered pairs of VIP tickets, normally £109 each, for £421 and £530, while Viagogo carried a listing for a £45 general admission ticket inflated to £363.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

I quickly realized that the lines were unavoidable and if I really needed to go, it was usually faster to go to the porta-potties in the general admission or VIP areas.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Joey dropped me off at the VIP door and I flashed my sponsor’s badge at the guard.

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen