clipped
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of clipped
Explanation
Use the adjective clipped for things that are cut very short — or for things that sound that way. "A clipped lawn is better for croquet," she announced in clipped tones. While you can use clipped where you'd use words like "shorn" or "trimmed," it's more common for this adjective to describe a particular way of speaking. If someone talks in a slightly irritated, very direct way, using sharp, short sounds, their speech is clipped. You can hear the difference between your math teacher's laid back "Hey kids, have a seat!" and your gym teacher's clipped command, "Take a knee. Now."
Vocabulary lists containing clipped
"Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou
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Novel Study: Fences, Act 2
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The Brightwood Code
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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.
Woods was involved in a March 27 road accident in Florida in which his vehicle clipped a truck pulling a trailer and flipped on its side while attempting to pass on a residential road.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
Ms. Indiana’s descriptions are clipped and sardonic, fitting for the perspective of a demon who has seen every vice.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
He held up on a curveball from Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola that clipped the bottom of the strike zone.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Phil Salt edged the first ball of the chase behind, then Jos Buttler clipped to mid-wicket, also for a duck, both off Arshdeep Singh.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
“You are correct that an abolitionist wants to bring an end to slavery across the land,” Aunt Kitty said, her words coming out tight and clipped.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
