snip

[ snip ]

verb (used with object)

, snipped, snip·ping.

1. to cut with a small, quick stroke, or a succession of such strokes, with scissors or the like.
2. to remove or cut off (something) by or as by cutting in this manner:

   to snip a rose.

verb (used without object)

, snipped, snip·ping.

1. to cut with small, quick strokes.

noun

1. the act of snipping, as with scissors.
2. a small cut made by snipping.
3. a small piece snipped off.
4. a small piece, bit, or amount of anything:

   a snip of food.

5. Informal. a small or insignificant person.
6. Informal. a presumptuous or impertinent person.
7. snips, small, strong hand shears used by sheet metal workers.
8. British Informal. a bargain.

snip

/ snɪp /

verb

1. to cut or clip with a small quick stroke or a succession of small quick strokes, esp with scissors or shears

noun

1. the act of snipping
2. the sound of scissors or shears closing
3. Also calledsnipping a small piece of anything, esp one that has been snipped off
4. a small cut made by snipping
5. See bargain
   an informal word for bargain
6. informal.
   something easily done; cinch
7. informal.
   a small or insignificant person or thing, esp an irritating or insolent one

interjection

1. often reiterated a representation of the sound of scissors or shears closing

Other Words From

• un·snipped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of snip¹

1550–60; origin uncertain; compare Dutch, Low German snippen to snip, catch, clip

Word History and Origins

Origin of snip¹

C16: from Low German, Dutch snippen; related to Middle High German snipfen to snap the fingers

Example Sentences

I’ll undergo a ceremonial snip at the ends but keep the length.

From Time

Windows used to have Snipping Tool, but that’s now part of Snip & Sketch.

From Popular-Science

We had a little goose that was laying golden eggs, and they told us to snip its head off.

From The Daily Beast

If you ever put your hands on me again, I'm gonna snip your little nuts off with my toenail clippers!

From The Daily Beast

This is a debate over how much personal autonomy we give to children—and the implications go beyond a single snip.

From The Daily Beast

A disgusting snip of a person had moved between him and those bitter but glamorous memories of Maria Algarez.

From Project Gutenberg

Accustomed to bite and eat its way through hard leaves, why did not the insect snip off and destroy its rope?

From Project Gutenberg

As it is, though, I believe I could snip a curl off the baby's head an' hardly scare the darlin'.

From Project Gutenberg

But the naughty baby only laughed quite merrily over the howl, and the two children begged of Snip-snap to do it again.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, if you promise to breathe not a word of this to any woman I may marry hereafter, here's a dead snip for you.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• shear
• shred