What does "clip" mean?

1. (a fastener) a small object used to hold things together, like paper or hair. 2. (a short video) a short part of a film, a TV show, or a video. 3. (speed) a fast speed or pace. 4. (ammunition) a metal frame that holds bullets for a gun. 5. (to fasten) to use a clip to hold things together. 6. (to cut) to cut something with scissors or shears, often to make it shorter or neater. 7. (to hit) to hit something quickly or lightly while passing by. 8. (to cheat or steal) to steal something or to cheat someone out of money. 9. (a hit) a quick hit with the hand, usually on the head or ear.

clip

n. · v.

US //ˈkɫɪp// UK //klˈɪp// clip

1 a fastener (n.)
A2 Elementary

a small object used to hold things together, like paper or hair.

a device for gripping or attaching one object to another, typically by mechanical pressure.

Example

She used a silver clip to keep her hair out of her eyes while she worked.

Example

The engineer suggested using a heavy-duty spring clip to secure the cables against the vibration of the engine.
- fastener
- clamp
- grip
2 a short video (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a short part of a film, a TV show, or a video.

a short sequence or segment taken from a larger motion picture, broadcast, or digital video file.

Example

The news showed a short clip of the president's speech from this morning.

Example

The documentary featured several rare clips of the artist working in her studio during the late 1960s.

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3 speed (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

a fast speed or pace.

a rapid rate of motion or progression.

Example

The car was moving at a fair clip when it passed us on the highway.

Example

The project is moving along at a steady clip, and we expect to meet the deadline without further delays.
4 ammunition (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Military

a metal frame that holds bullets for a gun.

a device, typically a metal frame, used to hold multiple rounds of ammunition together for loading into a firearm.

Example

The soldier loaded a fresh clip into his rifle before the exercise began.

Example

The historical accuracy of the film was praised, particularly the depiction of soldiers manually loading clips into their vintage bolt-action rifles.
- magazine
5 to fasten (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to use a clip to hold things together.

to fasten or secure an object with a clip or similar gripping device.

Example

He clipped the microphone to his shirt before the interview started.

Example

Please ensure the safety tether is clipped securely to the harness before you begin the climb.
- unclip
- detach
6 to cut (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to cut something with scissors or shears, often to make it shorter or neater.

to trim or cut off a portion of something, typically using shears or scissors.

Example

The gardener spent the afternoon clipping the hedge in the front yard.

Example

The editor had to clip several minutes from the final act to ensure the film didn't exceed the two-hour limit.
7 to hit (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to hit something quickly or lightly while passing by.

to strike something with a glancing blow or in passing.

Example

The truck clipped the side mirror of the parked car as it drove past.

Example

The cyclist was lucky to stay upright after a passing vehicle clipped his handlebars on the narrow bridge.
8 to cheat or steal (v.)
C2 Proficiency Slang

to steal something or to cheat someone out of money.

to swindle, fleece, or take something stealthily.

Example

He realized too late that the street performer had clipped him for twenty dollars.

Example

The investigation revealed that the accountant had been clipping the company's accounts for years before being caught.
- swindle
- fleece
- rob
9 a hit (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informal

a quick hit with the hand, usually on the head or ear.

a sharp blow delivered with the hand.

Example

His mother gave him a clip round the ear for being rude to the guests.

Example

In the old days, a schoolteacher might give a student a clip on the head for failing to pay attention in class.

Etymology 1

From Middle English clippen, cleppen, clüppen, from Old English clyppan (“to hug, embrace, cherish, clasp”), from Proto-Germanic klumpijaną, from Proto-Indo-European glemb-, *glembʰ- (“lump, clump, clod, clamp”). Cognate with Old Frisian kleppa, klippa (“to hug, embrace”), Middle High German klimpen, klimpfen (“to contract tightly, constrict, squeeze”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English clippen, from Old Norse klippa (“to clip, cut the hair, shear sheep”). Cognate with Icelandic klippa (“to clip”), Swedish klippa (“to clip”), Danish klippe (“to clip”), Norwegian Bokmål klippe (“to clip”).

Idioms4 entries