snip
Americanverb (used with object)
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to cut with a small, quick stroke, or a succession of such strokes, with scissors or the like.
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to remove or cut off (something) by or as by cutting in this manner.
to snip a rose.
verb (used without object)
noun
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the act of snipping, as with scissors.
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a small cut made by snipping.
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a small piece snipped off.
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a small piece, bit, or amount of anything.
a snip of food.
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Informal. a small or insignificant person.
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Informal. a presumptuous or impertinent person.
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snips, small, strong hand shears used by sheet metal workers.
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British Informal. a bargain.
verb
noun
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the act of snipping
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the sound of scissors or shears closing
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Also called: snipping. a small piece of anything, esp one that has been snipped off
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a small cut made by snipping
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an informal word for bargain
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informal something easily done; cinch
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informal a small or insignificant person or thing, esp an irritating or insolent one
interjection
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of snip
1550–60; origin uncertain; compare Dutch, Low German snippen to snip, catch, clip
Explanation
To snip is to cut with short, quick strokes, the way you'd snip your bangs in the mirror, or snip off a loose thread hanging from your jacket. A gardener snips dead blooms from a plant so new ones can grow, and a dog groomer carefully snips the hair covering your terrier's face so she can see where she's going. Snip is also a noun: "I saved a snip of the baby's hair to put in your scrapbook." The noun came first, initially meaning "a small piece of cut out cloth." In the 16th century, it was also a common nickname for a tailor.
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.
They are quick to snip losses and quick to take profits.
From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026
The £8.5m paid to Djurgarden in February 2024 - before loaning him back to the Swedish club for the rest of the season - already looks a snip.
From BBC • Jan. 8, 2025
Artichoke Potato Salad, on the other hand, is ladies luncheon, serve in a pretty bowl, snip some fresh dill, bring on the flavor, bring on the texture, pizzaz-y potato salad.
From Salon • May 9, 2024
In her landmark 1964 performance “Cut Piece,” she gave gallery visitors scissors and invited them to snip away at her clothes.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024
I take four samples of the mossy ground cover and snip off several pieces of a fallen elephant-ear leaf.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
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.
