Word
clipped
US/ˈkɫɪpt/
UK/klˈɪpt/
Definition
adj. describing a way of speaking that is very short, quick, and often sounds unfriendly. It can also mean something has been cut or shortened.
adj. characterised by rapid, abbreviated articulation or abruptness in speech. Often used to describe a person's tone or a specific accent that omits certain vowel sounds.
Examples
“He gave a clipped answer and walked away.”
“The officer spoke in a clipped, professional tone that left no room for further questions or debate.”
“Her clipped British accent was so precise that every consonant sounded like a small, sharp strike against the silence of the room.”
Examples
simple
“He gave a clipped answer and walked away.”
contextual
“The officer spoke in a clipped, professional tone that left no room for further questions or debate.”
complex
“Her clipped British accent was so precise that every consonant sounded like a small, sharp strike against the silence of the room.”
Usage
Often used to describe speech, tones of voice, or specific regional accents.
Real-World Examples
Common in sport writing
“Replays showed the left hand of France's Anais Bourgoin had clipped Werro's right foot.” “Prieto’s closing On the Way is a coquettish Latin frolic, edited by the stately Threadgill to clipped sonic punctuation marks, but gleefully stormed all over by Prieto and Iyer.” Scan code
englishreference.com/q/clipped