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gyp

1

or gip

[ jip ]
/ dʒɪp /
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See synonyms for gyp on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with or without object), gypped, gyp·ping.
Informal: Offensive. to defraud or rob by some sharp practice; swindle; cheat.
noun
Informal: Offensive. a con, fraud, cheat, or ripoff.
Also gyp·per [jip-er], /ˈdʒɪp ər/, gyp·ster [jip-ster] /ˈdʒɪp stər/ .Informal: Offensive. a swindler or cheat.
Also called gypsy . (in horse racing) an owner of racehorses who also acts as trainer and jockey.
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Origin of gyp

1
An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; back formation from Gypsy. The variants at def. 3, gypper and gypster, are formed from gyp1 + -er1 and -ster respectively

usage note for gyp

The word gyp is a shortening of Gypsy, an insensitive label that has been used as a disparaging slur for the traditionally nomadic group whose preferred name is Roma. Gyp in the meanings “to swindle” or “a person who swindles” is further insulting to the Roma, since it stereotypes them as cheats and frauds. However, many people are unfamiliar with the origin and history of gyp and Gypsy, so these terms are still in use, even among speakers who generally try to avoid disparaging and offensive language.

Other definitions for gyp (2 of 2)

gyp2
[ jip ]
/ dʒɪp /
noun British Informal.
a male college servant, as at Cambridge and Durham.

Origin of gyp

2
First recorded in 1740–50; perhaps from gypsy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to gyp

bamboozle, bilk, cheat, deceive, defraud, dupe, fleece, flimflam, gip, gull, hoodwink, hustle, rook, scam, swindle, trick, pull something, take for a ride

How to use gyp in a sentence

  • Then turning to go into the car he uttered only one word to himself—and that a mild one: "Gypped!"

    Laramie Holds the Range|Frank H. Spearman

British Dictionary definitions for gyp (1 of 3)

gyp1

gip

slang
verb gyps, gypping, gypped, gips, gipping or gipped
(tr) to swindle, cheat, or defraud
noun
an act of cheating
a person who gyps

Word Origin for gyp

C18: back formation from Gypsy

British Dictionary definitions for gyp (2 of 3)

gyp2
/ (dʒɪp) /
noun
British and NZ slang severe pain; torturehis arthritis gave him gyp

Word Origin for gyp

C19: probably a contraction of gee up!; see gee 1

British Dictionary definitions for gyp (3 of 3)

gyp3
/ (dʒɪp) /
noun
a college servant at the universities of Cambridge and DurhamCompare scout 1 (def. 5)

Word Origin for gyp

C18: perhaps from Gypsy, or from obsolete gippo a scullion
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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