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Definition of nip

 (Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

intransitive verb

Definition of nip  (Entry 2 of 4)

Definition of nip  (Entry 3 of 4)

Definition of nip  (Entry 4 of 4)

Examples of nip in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English nippen ; akin to Middle Dutch nipen to pinch, Old Norse hnippa to prod

probably from nipperkin , a liquor container

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

circa 1796, in the meaning defined above

1887, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nip

  • nip and tuck
  • nip (something) in the bud

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Cite this entry.

“Nip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nip. Accessed 3 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of nip.

 (Entry 1 of 3)

Kids Definition of nip  (Entry 2 of 3)

Kids Definition of nip  (Entry 3 of 3)

Middle English nippen "to nip"

probably a shortened form of nipperkin "a liquor container"; of unknown origin

More from Merriam-Webster on nip

Nglish: Translation of nip for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of nip for Arabic Speakers

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Understanding the Nip Slang: Decoding its Meaning and Usage

Are you feeling confused every time you come across the term “nip” in a conversation or on social media don’t worry; you’re not alone the ever-evolving world of slang can often leave us scratching our heads. in this blog post, we will delve into the meaning and usage of the nip slang, demystifying its mysteries once and for all..

Understanding the Nip Slang: Decoding its Meaning and Usage

What does “nip” mean?

Often used as a noun, “nip” primarily refers to a small amount of something or a quick, snappy action. It can be derived from various words such as “nibble” or “quick nip,” depending on the context. Nip can also be a verb, meaning to bite or pinch someone playfully.

How is “nip” used in everyday conversations?

Nip has gained popularity as part of modern daily conversations, particularly on social media platforms and among younger generations. Here are a few common scenarios where you might come across the term:

  • Nip of coffee: Refers to a small amount of coffee, perfect for a quick boost of energy.
  • Just a nip: Indicates a small quantity or action, often used humorously or sarcastically.
  • Playful nips: Used to describe affectionate biting or pinching typically between couples or close friends.

Why is “nip” slang so popular?

The popularity of slang terms like “nip” can be attributed to their ability to convey a lot of meaning in a concise and trendy manner. Slang terms often emerge as a result of cultural shifts and the need for individuals to express themselves uniquely. Additionally, using slang can create a sense of belonging and camaraderie among speakers who are “in the know.”

Is “nip” a universally understood term?

As with any slang term, the understanding of “nip” may vary across different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. It is primarily used in informal contexts and may not be widely recognized or accepted in formal settings. It’s important to consider your audience and the appropriateness of using slang in different situations.

Wrapping Up

Now that you have a better understanding of the nip slang, you can confidently navigate conversations and online interactions where this word pops up. Remember, slang is constantly evolving, so keeping an ear to the ground for new terms will help you stay “hip” with the times.

Whether you choose to embrace the world of slang or not, knowing its meaning and usage can help you connect with others and decode the linguistic trends of today. So, go ahead and bring a little nip into your conversations!

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Cambridge Dictionary

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Definition of nip – Learner’s Dictionary

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(Definition of nip from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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Definition of 'nip'

IPA Pronunciation Guide

nip in British English 1

Nip in british english 2, nip in british english 3, nip in british english, nip in american english 1, nip in american english 2, nip in american english, examples of 'nip' in a sentence nip, more idioms containing nip, trends of nip.

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  • nip and tuck
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Definition of nip noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

  • The dog gave her a painful nip on the leg.

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Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

trip nip meaning

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COMMENTS

  1. NIP | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

    NIP meaning: 1. to go somewhere quickly or be somewhere for only a short time: 2. to press something quickly…. Learn more.

  2. NIP | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

    NIP definition: 1. to go somewhere quickly or be somewhere for only a short time: 2. to press something quickly…. Learn more.

  3. Nip Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    nip: [verb] to catch hold of and squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points : pinch, bite. to pinch in (a garment).

  4. Understanding the Nip Slang: Decoding its Meaning and Usage

    What does “nipmean? Often used as a noun, “nip” primarily refers to a small amount of something or a quick, snappy action. It can be derived from various words such as “nibble” or “quick nip,” depending on the context. Nip can also be a verb, meaning to bite or pinch someone playfully.

  5. NIP | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

    NIP meaning: 1. to go somewhere quickly and for a short time: 2. If something nips you, it gives you a small…. Learn more.

  6. nip verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

    nip something The new leaves had been nipped by a late frost. [intransitive] + adv./prep. (British English, informal) to go somewhere quickly and/or for only a short time synonym pop

  7. NIP definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

    21 meanings: 1. to catch or tightly compress, as between a finger and the thumb; pinch 2. to remove by clipping, biting, etc 3..... Click for more definitions.

  8. nip noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

    Definition of nip noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

  9. Nip, n.⁵ & adj. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...

    What does the word Nip mean? There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the word Nip . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

  10. nip, v.¹ meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary

    See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. nip has developed meanings and uses in subjects including glass-making (mid 1500s) law (mid 1500s) weather (mid 1600s) nautical (mid 1600s) cricket (mid 1700s) baseball (1860s) sport (1890s) physical geography (1890s)