# dip /ˈdɪp/ (US) · /dˈɪp/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dip Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. to put into liquid verb · CEFR A2 to put something into a liquid for a very short time and then take it out. For teachers: to immerse something briefly in a liquid and subsequently remove it. Transitive, taking a direct object. - She dipped her biscuit into the tea before taking a bite. - The artist dipped the brush into the solvent to thin the oil paint before applying the final glaze to the canvas. ### 2. to decrease slightly verb · CEFR B1 to go down to a lower level or amount for a short time. For teachers: to experience a temporary or slight decline in value, quantity, or intensity. - Temperatures usually dip during the night and rise again after sunrise. - The company's stock price dipped following the news, though analysts expect a full recovery by the end of the fiscal quarter. ### 3. to lower car lights verb · CEFR B2 · British English to change your car's headlights from high to low so you do not blind other drivers. For teachers: to switch vehicle headlights from a high beam to a lower beam to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. - You should dip your lights when you see another car coming toward you. - As the winding country road straightened, he was careful to dip his headlights the moment he spotted the glow of an approaching vehicle. ### 4. a thick sauce noun · CEFR A2 a thick, cold sauce that you put pieces of food into before eating them. For teachers: a creamy or savory liquid or semi-solid accompaniment into which food is immersed before consumption. - We served some carrots and celery with a spicy cheese dip. - The host prepared a variety of homemade dips, including a classic hummus and a roasted red pepper coulis, to accompany the vegetable platter. ### 5. a quick swim noun · CEFR B1 · Informal a short, quick swim to refresh yourself. For teachers: a brief period of swimming, typically for recreation or refreshment rather than exercise. - After a long day at the beach, we went for a quick dip in the ocean. - Despite the chilly morning air, several locals took a daily dip in the lake to invigorate themselves before starting work. ### 6. a physical hollow noun · CEFR B1 a place where a surface, like a road or a field, goes down and then up again. For teachers: a hollow or depression in a surface, particularly in a landscape or roadway. - The car bounced slightly as it went through a dip in the road. - The hikers found a small campsite nestled in a dip between two hills, which provided excellent protection from the wind. ### 7. a foolish person noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · American English a person who behaves in a silly or stupid way. For teachers: a person perceived as foolish or lacking in intelligence. Informal and mildly derogatory. - I felt like such a dip when I realized I had my shirt on backward. - He was acting like a total dip, making jokes that nobody found funny during the serious board meeting. ### 8. financial opportunity noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical a time when the price of something falls, making it a good time to buy. For teachers: a temporary decline in the price of a financial asset, often viewed by investors as a buying opportunity. - Many investors decided to buy the dip when the tech stocks fell last week. - The trader advised his clients to wait for a significant dip in the market before increasing their exposure to emerging currencies. ## Examples - The company sees a dip in its quarterly profits. - After the holiday season, retailers often see a temporary dip in sales as consumer spending slows. - Analysts debate if this dip in stock prices is a market correction or just a short-term reaction, creating a 'buy the dip' opportunity for investors. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.