Clip
/klɪp/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo cut something short using scissors or a similar tool.
/klɪp/
To cut something with scissors or shears.
I clipped the coupon from the newspaper.
💡 Simply: Imagine using scissors to quickly trim something. That's clipping! Like trimming your nails or cutting a coupon.
👶 For kids: To cut with scissors.
More Examples
She clipped the roses from the bush.
How It's Used
"The stylist clipped my hair to remove the split ends."
"He clipped the hedges to keep them neat."
A small piece of something, often a short section of film or audio.
/klɪp/
A short, detached piece of something.
I watched a video clip online.
💡 Simply: A clip is like a small piece or a short part of something bigger, like a short video clip or a paperclip.
👶 For kids: A small piece of something.
More Examples
She used a paperclip to hold the papers together.
How It's Used
"A news clip showed the aftermath of the storm."
"She found a stray clip of hair on her shirt."
A device used to fasten or hold things together.
/klɪp/
A fastening device.
She used a binder clip to organize her papers.
💡 Simply: A clip is like a tiny helper that holds things together, like a clothespin or a paperclip.
👶 For kids: Something that holds things together.
How It's Used
"She fastened her hair with a clip."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
clip someone's wings
To curtail someone's power or freedom.
"They clipped his wings by refusing to give him more responsibility."
From Middle English *clippen, from Old English *clippan, meaning "to embrace, clasp". The modern meanings developed from this, evolving to include the sense of cutting with shears.
The word's original meaning of "to embrace" is mostly obsolete.
Memory tip
Think of 'snip' - similar in action, helps remember the cutting.
Word Origin
"to embrace, clasp"