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• clip-on
  clip-on

  adjective

  designed to be clipped on easily, especially by a self-attached clip.
• clip on
  clip on

  verb

  (tr) to attach by means of a clip

clip-on

American  

[klip-on, -awn] / ˈklɪpˌɒn, -ˌɔn /

adjective

1. designed to be clipped on easily, especially by a self-attached clip.

   a clip-on bow tie.

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noun

1. a clip-on device, ornament, or the like.

clip on British  

verb

1. (tr) to attach by means of a clip

2. (intr) to be attached by means of a clip

   this clips on here

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adjective

1. designed to be attached by means of a clip

   a clip-on bow tie

plural noun

1. sunglasses designed to be clipped on to a person's spectacles

Etymology

Origin of clip-on

First recorded in 1905–10; adj., noun use of verb phrase clip on

Example Sentences

White House communications aide Margo Martin posted a clip on X claiming, “Chants of ‘USA’ in Madison Square Garden!”

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026

Shortly after, he came across a clip on social media of Carson Olshansky, a New York-based trans comic, roasting.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Last year, Ben-Gvir shared a short clip on social media of him confronting Marwan Barghouti in his cell.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Zhao posted the clip on X soon after.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

He lumbers out and removes the little scissors hanging from a clip on his waist.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas