fillip

American  

[fil-uhp] / ˈfɪl əp /

noun

1. an act or instance of striking something with the nail of a finger snapped from the end of a thumb; a smart tap or stroke.

2. anything that tends to rouse, excite, or revive; a stimulus.

   Praise is an excellent fillip for waning ambition.

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verb (used with object)

1. to strike with a fillip.

2. to tap or strike smartly.

3. to drive by or as by a fillip.

   Anticipation filliped his passion.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a fillip with the fingers.

fillip British  

/ ˈfɪlɪp /

noun

1. something that adds stimulation or enjoyment

2. the action of holding a finger towards the palm with the thumb and suddenly releasing it outwards to produce a snapping sound

3. a quick blow or tap made by a finger snapped in this way

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verb

1. (tr) to stimulate or excite

2. (tr) to strike or project sharply with a fillip

3. (intr) to make a fillip

Etymology

Origin of fillip

First recorded in 1525–35; late Middle English filip, fylippe, philippe “to make a signal or sound with thumb and right forefinger”; expressive word of uncertain origin

Explanation

A fillip is something that boosts, promotes, or energizes. Giving away one free candy bar with every dozen purchased might give a fillip to your candy-selling business. When economies or markets get a fillip, they move or grow in a positive direction, and if your confidence gets a fillip after you get a good grade, it's a boost to your morale. An older, now obsolete meaning of fillip was "a flick of the finger," sort of a soft snap, and as a verb, "to flip something with the fingers" or "to snap."

Example Sentences

Though lower interest rates ought to provide a fillip for gold and silver, it seems investors are looking for scraps of news to unwind their recent parabolic rallies.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

It was a fillip for Welsford after a torrid 2025 with Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe before switching teams to Ineos Grenadiers this season.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

The 25-year-old Swede gave European golf a huge fillip on Sunday by winning America's national championship, resisting the chasing pack on a tense final day.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2025

Those hopes got a fillip on Tuesday after data releases, especially one showing a drop in monthly job openings, and along with gains in mega-cap stocks, helped Wall Street end sharply higher.

From Reuters • Aug. 30, 2023

They lived mostly on these things made from stale bread, and condensed milk and coffee, onions, potatoes, and always the penny’s worth of something bought at the last minute, added for fillip.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith