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rip

¹

[ rip ]

/ rɪp /

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See synonyms for rip on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), ripped, rip·ping.

to cut or tear apart in a rough or vigorous manner: to rip open a seam; to rip up a sheet.

to cut or tear away in a rough or vigorous manner: to rip bark from a tree.

to saw (wood) in the direction of the grain.

Digital Technology. to copy (audio or video files from a CD, DVD, or website) to a hard drive or mobile device, typically by extracting the raw data and changing the file format in the process: Can you rip this CD for me?Compare burn¹ (def. 30). See also DAE

verb (used without object), ripped, rip·ping.

to become torn apart or split open: Cheap cloth rips easily.

Informal. to move with violence or great speed: The sports car ripped along in a cloud of dust and exhaust fumes.

noun

a rent made by ripping; tear.

Slang. a cheat, swindle, or theft; ripoff: The average consumer doesn't realize that the new tax is a rip.

Verb Phrases

rip into, Informal. to attack physically or verbally; assail.

rip off, Slang.

to steal or pilfer.
to rob or steal from.
to swindle, cheat, or exploit; take advantage of: phony charity appeals that rip off a gullible public.

rip out, Informal. to utter angrily, as with an oath or exclamation.

OTHER WORDS FOR rip

7 laceration, cut.

See synonyms for rip on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR RIP

What Does "R.I.P." Stand For?

R.I.P. is a rather serious concept that’s been turned into an almost comical abbreviation on, you guessed it, the internet! Yet, R.I.P.’s roots have a bit more gravity to them.

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QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about rip

let rip, Slang.

to utter a series of oaths; swear.
to speak or write violently, rapidly, or at great length.
to allow to proceed at full speed or without restraint.

Origin of rip

¹

First recorded in 1400–50; 1960–65 for def. 10; Middle English rippen “to tear out (seams, sutures), rip, rip off”; further origin uncertain; obscurely akin to Frisian rippe, Middle Dutch rippen, reppen; compare dialectal English ripple “to scratch”

synonym study for rip

1. See tear².

OTHER WORDS FROM rip

rip·pa·ble, adjectiveun·rip·pa·ble, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rip

burglarize, mug, rip off , rob, steal

Other definitions for rip (2 of 5)

rip²

[ rip ]

/ rɪp /

noun

a stretch of turbulent water at sea or in a river.

Origin of rip

²

First recorded in 1765–75; see origin at rip¹, ripple¹

Other definitions for rip (3 of 5)

rip³

[ rip ]

/ rɪp /

noun Informal.

a dissolute or worthless person.

a worthless or worn-out horse.

something of little or no value.

Origin of rip

³

First recorded in 1770–80; of uncertain origin; possibly alteration of rep, shortened form of reprobate

Other definitions for rip (4 of 5)

Rip

[ rip ]

/ rɪp /

noun

a male given name, form of Robert.

Other definitions for rip (5 of 5)

RIP

or R.I.P.

[ ahr-ahy-pee, or, especially for 1b, rip ]

/ ˈɑrˈaɪˈpi, or, especially for 1b, rɪp /

abbreviation

rest in peace:

(used, especially on grave markers and memorials, to wish peace after death upon a deceased person).
Often Facetious. (used to indicate that a person or thing has been destroyed or damaged): RIP to my dignity after that awful spin class.

Origin of RIP

From Latin requiēscat (or requiēscant ) in pāce

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

British Dictionary definitions for rip (1 of 4)

rip¹

/ (rɪp) /

verb rips, ripping or ripped

to tear or be torn violently or roughly; split or be rent

(tr ; foll by off or out) to remove hastily, carelessly, or roughlythey ripped out all the old kitchen units

(intr) informal to move violently or precipitously; rush headlong

(intr foll by into) informal to pour violent abuse (on); make a verbal attack (on)

(tr) to saw or split (wood) in the direction of the grain

(tr) informal computing to copy (music or software) without permission or making any payment

let rip to act or speak without restraint

noun

the place where something is torn; a tear or split

short for ripsaw

See also rip off, rip on, rip up

Derived forms of rip

rippable, adjective

Word Origin for rip

C15: perhaps from Flemish rippen; compare Middle Dutch rippen to pull

British Dictionary definitions for rip (2 of 4)

rip²

/ (rɪp) /

noun

short for riptide (def. 1)

Word Origin for rip

C18: perhaps from rip 1

British Dictionary definitions for rip (3 of 4)

rip³

/ (rɪp) /

noun informal, archaic

something or someone of little or no value

an old worn-out horse

a dissolute character; reprobate

Word Origin for rip

C18: perhaps altered from rep, shortened from reprobate

British Dictionary definitions for rip (4 of 4)

RIP

abbreviation for

requiescat or requiescant in pace

Word Origin for RIP

Latin: may he, she, or they rest in peace

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

Scientific definitions for rip

rip

[ rĭp ]

A stretch of water in a river, estuary, or tidal channel made rough by waves meeting an opposing current.

A rip current.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for rip

R.I.P.

The abbreviation for “rest in peace,” often found on gravestones or in obituaries. From the Latin, requiescat in pace.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with rip

rip

In addition to the idioms beginning with rip

ripe old age
rip into
rip off

also see:

let it rip

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.