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dip

v. · n.
US //ˈdɪp// UK //dˈɪp// dip
  1. 1 to put into liquid (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to put something into a liquid for a very short time and then take it out.

    to immerse something briefly in a liquid and subsequently remove it. Transitive, taking a direct object.

    Example

    She dipped her biscuit into the tea before taking a bite.

    Example

    The artist dipped the brush into the solvent to thin the oil paint before applying the final glaze to the canvas.
  2. 2 to decrease slightly (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to go down to a lower level or amount for a short time.

    to experience a temporary or slight decline in value, quantity, or intensity.

    Example

    Temperatures usually dip during the night and rise again after sunrise.

    Example

    The company's stock price dipped following the news, though analysts expect a full recovery by the end of the fiscal quarter.
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  1. 3 to lower car lights (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    to change your car's headlights from high to low so you do not blind other drivers.

    to switch vehicle headlights from a high beam to a lower beam to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.

    Example

    You should dip your lights when you see another car coming toward you.

    Example

    As the winding country road straightened, he was careful to dip his headlights the moment he spotted the glow of an approaching vehicle.
  2. 4 a thick sauce (n.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

    a thick, cold sauce that you put pieces of food into before eating them.

    a creamy or savory liquid or semi-solid accompaniment into which food is immersed before consumption.

    Example

    We served some carrots and celery with a spicy cheese dip.

    Example

    The host prepared a variety of homemade dips, including a classic hummus and a roasted red pepper coulis, to accompany the vegetable platter.
  3. 5 a quick swim (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    a short, quick swim to refresh yourself.

    a brief period of swimming, typically for recreation or refreshment rather than exercise.

    Example

    After a long day at the beach, we went for a quick dip in the ocean.

    Example

    Despite the chilly morning air, several locals took a daily dip in the lake to invigorate themselves before starting work.
  4. 6 a physical hollow (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a place where a surface, like a road or a field, goes down and then up again.

    a hollow or depression in a surface, particularly in a landscape or roadway.

    Example

    The car bounced slightly as it went through a dip in the road.

    Example

    The hikers found a small campsite nestled in a dip between two hills, which provided excellent protection from the wind.
  5. 7 a foolish person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal American English

    a person who behaves in a silly or stupid way.

    a person perceived as foolish or lacking in intelligence. Informal and mildly derogatory.

    Example

    I felt like such a dip when I realized I had my shirt on backward.

    Example

    He was acting like a total dip, making jokes that nobody found funny during the serious board meeting.
  6. 8 financial opportunity (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Technical Finance

    a time when the price of something falls, making it a good time to buy.

    a temporary decline in the price of a financial asset, often viewed by investors as a buying opportunity.

    Example

    Many investors decided to buy the dip when the tech stocks fell last week.

    Example

    The trader advised his clients to wait for a significant dip in the market before increasing their exposure to emerging currencies.
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