VIP

American  

[vee-ahy-pee] / ˈviˈaɪˈpi /

Or V.I.P.

Informal.

1. very important person.

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VIP British  

abbreviation

1. very important person

2. visually impaired person

3. vasoactive intestinal peptide: a polypeptide secreted by the small intestine during digestion and also found in the brain as a neurotransmitter: large amounts in the blood cause diarrhoea

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VIP Cultural  

1. An abbreviation for “V ery I mportant P erson”: “The luncheon will be exclusive, with VIPs only.”

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Usage

What does VIP mean? VIP (or V. I. P.) is an abbreviation of very important person. VIP is an informal way to refer to someone who is notable in some way and is given special treatment in a particular setting. It is also used to describe things involving special access for such people, as in phrases like VIP treatment or VIP pass. The plural of VIP is VIPs. Example: The hotel provides additional security for the rooms reserved by VIPs like heads of state.

Etymology

Origin of VIP

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

VIP

In the early hours of the following morning Gethings sat just inches away from Armstrong in the VIP viewing box at the Kennedy Space Center when Apollo 17 lift-off occurred at 00:33 local time.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

On Saturday, at Carson’s Anderson Memorial Park, Shari Sanders of Altadena was found unconscious in the VIP section of the city’s annual jazz festival.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Other topics we delve into include how to afford a first home, VIP service at the airport and whether a coffee can ruin a job interview.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Alcohol cannot be sold at any sports event, other than in VIP areas.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

They had also promised him VIP tickets to any future concert of his choice.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman