# dips

/ˈdɪps/ (US) · /dˈɪps/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dips
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

thick, creamy sauces that you eat by dunking pieces of food into them. You usually serve them at parties with chips, bread, or vegetables.

For teachers: thick, savoury sauces into which solid food is immersed before consumption. Plural form of the count sense; frequently used in the context of appetizers or social gatherings.

## Examples

- We served three different dips with the vegetable platter.
- The host prepared a variety of homemade dips, including hummus and a spicy salsa, for the evening party.
- While traditional Mediterranean cuisine features various yogurt-based dips, modern snack culture has expanded the category to include processed cheese and bean-based varieties.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the plural when referring to a selection of different flavors.

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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.