ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dipped

v. · adj.
US //ˈdɪpt// UK //dˈɪpt// dipped
  1. 1 put into liquid (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    put something quickly into a liquid and then took it out.

    immersed something briefly in a liquid, often to coat it or clean it.

    Example

    She dipped the strawberries into melted chocolate for the party.

    Example

    The artisan dipped the fabric into the indigo vat several times to achieve the desired depth of colour.
  2. 2 moved downward (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    moved down to a lower level for a short time.

    dropped or sloped downwards briefly before returning to a previous level or continuing.

    Example

    The sun dipped below the horizon as we finished our walk.

    Example

    The aircraft dipped suddenly when it hit a pocket of turbulence, causing a brief moment of alarm among the passengers.
  3. 3 coated in something (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    covered in a thin layer of something, like chocolate or paint.

    having been briefly immersed in a substance to create a coating.

    Example

    I bought some chocolate-dipped biscuits at the bakery.

    Example

    The manufacturer provided dipped galvanized steel components to ensure the structure would resist corrosion in the humid environment.
  4. 4 lowered headlights (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    when a car's front lights are pointed down so they do not blind other drivers.

    referring to vehicle headlights adjusted to a lower beam to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.

    Example

    You should use dipped headlights when driving through the city at night.

    Example

    The driver quickly switched to dipped beams as the first car appeared on the narrow country lane.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun 'headlights' or 'beams'.
    • low beam
    • full beam
    • high beam
Origin

From dip + -ed.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026