noun
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a sarcastic or cutting remark; gibe
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a witty or clever saying
a merry quip
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archaic another word for quibble
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of quip
1525–35; back formation from quippy quip < Latin quippe indeed
Explanation
A quip — a short, witty comment — can be pleasant, wise, or sarcastic, but usually carries an element of humor. A quip is a witty or clever remark that sounds spur-of-the-moment. A successful quip must sound offhand, as though it were an afterthought, even if the speaker has been honing the statement for days. Dorothy Parker was a famous writer known for her quick quips, such as, "The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant — and let the air out of the tires."
Vocabulary lists containing quip
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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.
Some pointed to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s pre-dinner quip that there would be “shots fired” in Trump’s speech.
From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026
Others pointed to Karoline Leavitt’s quip before the dinner that during Trump’s speech there would be “shots fired.”
From Slate • Apr. 26, 2026
Thatcher’s quip raises an important question about the role of games in our lives.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Heard someone quip that we live in an era of kids with face tattoos making Adult Contemporary music and well, here we are with Alex Warren .
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2026
If I were Lily, I’d have just the right quip for him.
From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English
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.
