hip

¹ American  

[hip] / hɪp /

noun

1. the projecting part of each side of the body formed by the side of the pelvis and the upper part of the femur and the flesh covering them; haunch.

2. hip joint.

3. Architecture. the inclined projecting angle formed by the junction of a sloping side and a sloping end, or of two adjacent sloping sides, of a roof.

4. Furniture. knee.

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adjective

1. (especially of a garment) extending to the hips; hiplength.

   hip boots.

verb (used with object)

hipped, hipping

1. (especially of livestock) to injure or dislocate the hip of.

2. Architecture. to form (a roof ) with a hip or hips.

idioms

1. shoot from the hip, to speak or act bluntly or rashly, without deliberation or prudence.

   Diplomats are trained to conduct themselves with discretion, and not to shoot from the hip.

2. smite hip and thigh, to attack unmercifully; overcome.

hip ² American  

[hip] / hɪp /

noun

1. the ripe fruit of a rose, especially of a wild rose.

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hip ³ American  

[hip] / hɪp /

interjection

1. (used as a cheer or in signaling for cheers).

   Hip, hip, hurrah!

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hip ⁴ American  

[hip] / hɪp /

adjective

hipper, hippest

1. familiar with or informed about the latest ideas, styles, developments, etc..

   My parents aren't exactly hip, you know.

2. considered aware of or attuned to what is expected, especially with a casual or knowing air; cool.

   The guy was not at all hip—a total nerd.

3. in agreement or willing to cooperate; going along.

   We explained our whole plan, and she was hip.

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noun

1. Also hipness the condition or state of being hip.

2. a hippie or beatnik; hipster.

verb (used with object)

hipped, hipping

1. to make or keep aware or informed.

HIP ⁵ American  

[eych-ahy-pee, hip] / ˈeɪtʃˈaɪˈpi, hɪp /

1. Health Insurance Plan.

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hip ¹ British  

/ hɪp /

noun

1. (often plural) either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh, overlying the lateral part of the pelvis and its articulation with the thighbones

2. another name for pelvis

3. short for hip joint

4. the angle formed where two sloping sides of a roof meet or where a sloping side meets a sloping end

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hip ² British  

/ hɪp /

adjective

1. aware of or following the latest trends in music, ideas, fashion, etc

2. informed (about)

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HIP ³ British  

/ hɪp /

acronym

1. (in England and Wales) home information pack: a set of documents that a seller must possess before his or her property can be put on the market

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hip ⁴ British  

/ hɪp /

noun

1. Also called: rosehip.  the berry-like brightly coloured fruit of a rose plant: a swollen receptacle, rich in vitamin C, containing several small hairy achenes

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hip ⁵ British  

/ hɪp /

interjection

1. an exclamation used to introduce cheers (in the phrase hip, hip, hurrah )

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hip More Idioms  

1. see shoot from the hip.

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Other Word Forms

• hipless adjective
• hiplike adjective
• hiply adverb

Etymology

Origin of hip¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English hipe, hupe, Old English hype; cognate with Old High German huf ( German Hüfte “hip”), Gothic hups “hip, loin”; compare Greek kýbos “cube, die; the hollow above the hips (of cattle),” Latin cubitus “elbow” ( cubit ); cube ¹

Origin of hip²

First recorded before 900; Middle English hepe, Old English hēope “hip, briar”; cognate with Old High German hiufo “bramble”

Origin of hip³

First recorded in 1745–55; origin uncertain

Origin of hip⁴

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; of uncertain origin; hep and hip are recorded at similar dates and are similar in meaning, but the relationship between the two words is unclear

Example Sentences

My hip kept hurting, but I didn’t go back to the doctor.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

I just twisted my left hip, then caught my balance.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

It was odd when it became really hip in the last 10 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

In September Carole had her third hip replacement, which meant that she had to take a break from her training.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Absently, and perhaps for some comfort, she let her fingers brush the hilt of the dagger on her hip.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

• chic
• contemporary
• cool
• hot
• modern
• new
• smart
• sophisticated
• trendy