nip

[ nip ]

/ nɪp /

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verb (used with object), nipped, nip·ping.

to squeeze or compress tightly between two surfaces or points; pinch; bite.

to take off by pinching, biting, or snipping (usually followed by off): He nipped off a piece of steak and gave it to the dog.

to check in growth or development.

to affect sharply and painfully or injuriously, as a very cold temperature: a cold wind that nips the fingers.

Informal. to snatch away suddenly.

Informal. to defeat (an opponent) by a very close margin; edge out.

Informal. to steal or pilfer.

Nautical.

(of ice) to press (a ship) from opposite sides.
to seize (a taut rope) to another rope.

verb (used without object), nipped, nip·ping.

Chiefly British Slang. to leave stealthily; sneak away;flee (often followed by away).

noun

an act of nipping; a pinch or small bite: The dog took several nips at our heels.

a biting quality, as in cold or frosty air: There's a nip in the air this morning.

sharp cold; a sharp touch of frost: The trees had felt the first nip of winter.

a sharp or biting remark.

a biting taste or tang, especially in some cheese.

a small bit or quantity of anything: a nip of bread to stave off hunger.

Nautical.

an abrupt turn or twist in a rope.
a part of a rope or chain bound by a seizing or nipper.

Usually nips. nipper (def. 2).

OTHER WORDS FOR nip

4 freeze, bite, pierce, cut, chill.

See synonyms for nip on Thesaurus.com

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Idioms about nip

nip and tuck, with each competitor equaling or closely contesting the speed, scoring, or efforts of the other: It was nip and tuck as to which sailboat would reach port first.

nip in the bud. bud¹ (def. 13).

Origin of nip

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English nippen, nipe(n), nip “to bite, pinch,” from Old Norse hnippa “to poke, thrust”

Other definitions for nip (2 of 3)

nip²

[ nip ]

/ nɪp /

noun

a small drink of alcoholic liquor; sip: a person who relishes an occasional nip.

Chiefly British. split (def. 27).

verb (used with or without object), nipped, nip·ping.

to drink (alcoholic liquor) in small sips, especially repeatedly.

Origin of nip

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Dutch nippen “to sip”; in def. 2, short for earlier nipperkin “vessel holding half-pint or less”

Other definitions for nip (3 of 3)

Nip

[ nip ]

/ nɪp /

noun, adjective Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

a contemptuous term used to refer to a Japanese person.

Origin of Nip

First recorded in 1942; short for Nipponese

usage note for Nip

This term, patterned on the earlier term Jap , was first used in English shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nip in a sentence

The coat, with fitted bodice, nipped-in waist, and full skirt, created a familiar silhouette for Kate.
Kate Middleton, the Preggers Fashion Princess|Tom Sykes|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Luckily, as filming wrapped up no one had been nipped, and the penguins we safely returned to their carriers.
‘The Puppy Bowl’: The Super Bowl’s Fiercest Rival|Lori-Lee Emshey|February 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By saying that the parties have agreed that he and he alone may be trusted, Kerry has nipped that in the bud.
The Case For A Less-Guarded Optimism|Emily L. Hauser|July 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Raf Simons's nipped waists displayed a range of Sixties references.
Christian Dior's Whimsical Fall Show Was Inspired By Andy Warhol|Liza Foreman|March 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Last week, the Vikings nipped the Packers with a field goal as time expired.
A Guide to the NFL’s Wild-Card Weekend|Sujay Kumar|January 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He nipped the crucible four inches beneath the rim, testing the grip by lifting it just a couple of inches.
Balsamo, The Magician|Alexander Dumas
It made me furious, too, to see my ambition nipped with the frost of a possible veto from Miss Smawl.
In Search of the Unknown|Robert W. Chambers
The bullet nipped the ear of the pony, and cut through the coat of Warren Starr; grazing his shoulder in the passage.
The Young Ranchers|Edward S. Ellis
One pair of sharp beaks caught him on the tip of his nose and made him squeal, and another nipped the back of his head.
Bumper, The White Rabbit|George Ethelbert Walsh
I knew right off it was a nip-and-tuck race, with the chances in favor of a man called Pringle getting nipped.
Motor Matt's Mystery|Stanley R. Matthews

British Dictionary definitions for nip (1 of 3)

nip¹

/ (nɪp) /

verb nips, nipping or nipped (mainly tr)

to catch or tightly compress, as between a finger and the thumb; pinch

(often foll by off) to remove by clipping, biting, etc

(when intr, often foll by at) to give a small sharp bite (to)the dog nipped at his heels

(esp of the cold) to affect with a stinging sensation

to harm through coldthe frost nipped the young plants

to check or destroy the growth of (esp in the phrase nip in the bud)

slang to steal

(intr; foll by along, up, out, etc) British informal to hurry; dart

slang, mainly US and Canadian to snatch

noun

the act of nipping; a pinch, snip, etc

a frosty or chilly quality
severe frost or coldthe first nip of winter

a small piece or quantityhe went out for a nip of fresh air

a sharp flavour or tang

archaic a taunting remark

nip and tuck

mainly US and Canadian neck and neck
informal plastic surgery performed for cosmetic reasons

put the nips in Australian and NZ slang to exert pressure on someone, esp in order to extort money

Word Origin for nip

C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse hnippa to prod

British Dictionary definitions for nip (2 of 3)

nip²

/ (nɪp) /

noun

a small drink of spirits; dram

mainly British a measure of spirits usually equal to one sixth of a gill

verb nips, nipping or nipped

to drink (spirits), esp habitually in small amounts

Word Origin for nip

C18: shortened from nipperkin a vessel holding a half-pint or less, of uncertain origin; compare Dutch nippen to sip

British Dictionary definitions for nip (3 of 3)

Nip

/ (nɪp) /

noun

slang a derogatory word for a Japanese

Word Origin for Nip

C20: short for Nipponese

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

nip

OTHER WORDS FOR nip

Idioms about nip

Origin of nip

Other definitions for nip (2 of 3)

Origin of nip

Other definitions for nip (3 of 3)

Origin of Nip

usage note for Nip

Words related to nip

How to use nip in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nip (1 of 3)

Word Origin for nip

British Dictionary definitions for nip (2 of 3)

Word Origin for nip

British Dictionary definitions for nip (3 of 3)

Word Origin for Nip