nip

1 of 4

verb (1)

nipped; nipping

transitive verb

1
a
: to catch hold of and squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points : pinch, bite
the dog nipped his ankle
b
: to pinch in (a garment)
a dress nipped at the waist
2
a
: to sever by or as if by pinching sharply
nipped the dead flowers from the plant
b
: to destroy the growth, progress, or fulfillment of
What could have been a sad story about a young star's career nipped in the bud has become a lesson in human resilience.E. M. Smith
3
: to injure or make numb with cold : chill
The wind was nipping our cheeks.
4
: snatch, steal
Some feed on insects, others on fish eggs and fry, still others on scraps of fin nipped off neighboring fish …David Quammen
5
: to defeat by a small margin
They nipped our team 61 to 57.

intransitive verb

1
: to bite or pinch someone or something lightly
The dog nipped at my ankles.
2
: to harm or numb someone or something with cold
The icy wind nipped at my nose.
3
: to move briskly, nimbly, or quickly
A photographer nipped in and snapped him dead …Bernard Shaw
4
chiefly British : to make a quick trip
One day during a brief stop, one of them … nipped off the train … to purchase an esoteric label of single-malt Scotch for us that The Royal Scotsman bar didn't stock.Shirley Slater

nip

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
: something that nips: such as
a
archaic : a sharp biting comment
b
: a sharp stinging cold
a nip in the air
c
: a biting or pungent flavor : tang
2
: the act of nipping : pinch, bite
3
: the region of a squeezing or crushing device (such as a calender) where the rolls or jaws are closest together
4
: a small portion

nip

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a small quantity of liquor : sip
also : a very small bottle of liquor

nip

4 of 4

verb (2)

nipped; nipping

intransitive verb

: to take liquor in nips : tipple

Examples of nip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
To nip seasonal allergies in the bud, don’t miss the double discounts on this air purifier that can filter dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke from the air. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 As a result, all 50 of the accommodations that dot the perimeter of the island have been carefully set back from the oceanfront so as not to disrupt the animals that rely on being able to nip from sea to jungle with haste. Liam Hess, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 The trousers' high waist and streamlined pleats nip you in while effortlessly elongating your legs. Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024 Vasilije Micić will be nipping at his heels because of his knowledge of the game overall, but Micić is still learning how to adjust to the NBA style of action. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024 Over the past decade, as the cost of housing exploded, home builders have methodically nipped their dwellings to keep prices in reach of buyers. Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024 The Tigers held the Dragons to more than seven points below their season average of 74.6 and their lowest output in the conference since the latter nipped North Carolina A&T, 67-63, on Jan. 11. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2024 In 2016, the GOP watched as Trump slogged to the nomination with the likes of Ted Cruz nipping at him and threatening a delegate mutiny. TIME, 16 Jan. 2024 Schiff led for much of last year with Porter nipping at his heels. Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
The plush bird at the end of the string is stuffed with cat nip and crinkly material to entice your furry friend. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Sometimes while licking, a cat will even throw in a light nip or painful bite as well. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2023 Known for this particular silhouette, the white Mugler corset nips in at Kardashian's waist while instead accentuating her hips. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 The nips currently have a 5-cent fee, rather than a deposit, and drinkers cannot bring the bottles back in an attempt to receive a nickel for each one. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2024 Even before the first shivery nip, the sight of the Melona Colada cocktail served at Kato dowtown in August eased the high fever of summer. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024 The popper just disappears, and even though these kinds of takes are less flashy, you’ll be surprised by the size of the fish that will just give you the old tail nip. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 The fact that [nip bottles] facilitate consuming hard liquor while driving seems to be equally problematic. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2024 The ruling highlights the latest lawsuit to effectively circumvent a broad legal tool that tech companies have used for decades to nip content moderation suits in the bud. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024

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

Etymology

Verb (1)

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

Noun (2)

probably from nipperkin, a liquor container

First Known Use

Verb (1)

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

Noun (1)

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1796, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nip was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near nip

Cite this Entry

“Nip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nip. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nip

1 of 3 verb
nipped; nipping
1
: to catch hold of and squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points
the dog nipped my ankle
2
: to cut off by pinching or clipping
3
: to destroy the growth or progress of
nipped in the bud
4
: to make numb with cold : chill
5
: to seize suddenly and forcibly : snatch, steal
6
: to move quickly or nimbly

nip

2 of 3 noun
1
: something (as a sharp stinging cold or a biting flavor) that nips
cheese with a nip
2
: the act of nipping : pinch, bite
3
: a small portion : bit

nip

3 of 3 noun
: a small quantity of liquor
takes a nip now and then
Etymology

Verb

Middle English nippen "to nip"

Noun

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

More from Merriam-Webster on nip

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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