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

You also can view the main stage from the 12 Peaks VIP area.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

A viral video claims the $130 Costco executive membership is the new VIP status symbol — but is the rewards program actually worth the price?

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

Villaraigosa flitted around the racers’ VIP tent, spotted a bowl of fortune cookies and made a beeline.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Of course, in downgrading, Yosim loses out on the early hour of exclusive shopping and potentially feeling like that red-carpet-worthy VIP.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

Reggie parked the Lamborghini in a VIP lot for a hundred dollars.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty