VIP
Americanabbreviation
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very important person
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visually impaired person
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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
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On Saturday, at Carson’s Anderson Memorial Park, Shari Sanders of Altadena was found unconscious in the VIP section of the city’s annual jazz festival.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
The committee which oversees royal and VIP security, Ravec, is set to reconsider the family's level of police protection now that they are full-time residents rather than visitors.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
Alcohol cannot be sold at any sports event, other than in VIP areas.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026
I paid $400 for VIP service from Chicago.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
The VIP booth is lined with red and blue lightbulbs.
From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.