nipping

[nip-ing]

adjective

1. sharp or biting, as cold.

2. sarcastic; caustic.

nipping

/ ˈnɪpɪŋ /

adjective

1. sharp and biting

   a nipping wind

2. sarcastic; bitter

Other Word Forms

• nippingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of nipping¹

First recorded in 1540–50; nip ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Lowe said he grabbed a dishrag and tried to wave the smoke away from the smoke detector — only to have Moose start nipping at the rag and at his finger “aggressively.”

From Los Angeles Times

The ball was nipping, Matt Henry and Nathan Smith relentless in their accuracy.

From BBC

There was also the time Clyde woke me up by nipping my chin hard enough to leave a welt because I had not served his breakfast quickly enough.

From Salon

The visitors were faced with the nipping ball and skilful Kiwis, so responded in the only way they know: aggression.

From BBC

Biden was at his peak back then and probably would have beaten Trump, nipping his political career in the bud.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bitter 
• bleak 
• brisk 
• chilled 
• cool 
• crisp 
• frigid 
• frosty 
• frozen 
• icy 
• intense 
• raw 
• snowy 
• wintry