snip

[snip]

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

/ snɪp /

verb

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

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

• unsnipped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of snip¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of snip¹

C16: from Low German, Dutch snippen; related to Middle High German snipfen to snap the fingers

Example Sentences

Calder, the top flight's chief growth officer, is the man snipping the competition's name to simply 'the Prem' for next season.

From BBC

"It is a little sad, isn’t it? One more quiet thread snipped in the broader unraveling of neighborhood-ness. Of the small, repetitive exchanges that used to stitch a life together."

From Salon

More often than not, these were just simple ranches made with care — good buttermilk, what was probably Duke’s and a handful of punchy herbs snipped into a stainless steel mixing bowl.

From Salon

When Mrs Gibbs' operation happened in March 2024, Mr Lamah mistakenly snipped her bowel, causing internal bleeding not spotted for hours.

From BBC

When the tag’s snipped off, he’s delighted, and leaves quickly after exchanging a few words with Karen Lee, the director of the Community Corrections Command.

From BBC

Related Words

• shear 
• shred