quip

[kwip]

noun

1. a clever or witty remark or comment.

   Synonyms: witticism, joke

2. a sharp, sarcastic remark; a cutting jest.

   Synonyms: jape, sally, gibe

3. a quibble.

4. an odd or fantastic action or thing.

verb (used without object)

quipped, quipping 

1. to utter quips.

quip

/ kwɪp /

noun

1. a sarcastic or cutting remark; gibe

2. a witty or clever saying

   a merry quip

3. archaic,  another word for quibble

verb

1. (intr) to make a quip

Other Word Forms

• quippish adjective
• quippishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of quip¹

1525–35; back formation from quippy quip < Latin quippe indeed

Word History and Origins

Origin of quip¹

C16: from earlier quippy, probably from Latin quippe indeed, to be sure

Example Sentences

“If you don’t understand it,” he quipped, “you have four months to learn.”

Read more on Salon

“Better late than never,” he quipped Wednesday night.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Feel free to follow their “Blue Out” quips with your own rim shot:

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Tories were barely mentioned, and there was a chorus of laughter when Sir Keir quipped: "The Tories - remember them?"

Read more on BBC

“Easy to maintain your integrity when no one’s offering to buy it out,” he quipped.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• banter 
• gag 
• gibe 
• pleasantry 
• pun 
• repartee 
• retort 
• satire 
• wisecrack 
• witticism