Word
nip
US/ˈnɪp/
UK/nˈɪp/
Definition
v. to give someone or something a quick, sharp bite or pinch. It is often used to describe a cold feeling in the air or a small bite from a pet.
v. to pinch, squeeze, or bite sharply. Often describes the physical sensation of cold or the behavior of a small animal; transitive when referring to the act of biting.
Examples
“The puppy likes to nip at my heels when we play.”
“There is a sharp nip in the air this morning, so you should wear a scarf.”
“The frost began to nip the edges of the delicate leaves, signaling the sudden arrival of an early winter that the farmers were not yet prepared for.”
Examples
simple
“The puppy likes to nip at my heels when we play.”
contextual
“There is a sharp nip in the air this morning, so you should wear a scarf.”
complex
“The frost began to nip the edges of the delicate leaves, signaling the sudden arrival of an early winter that the farmers were not yet prepared for.”
Usage
When used to describe biting, it is often followed by the preposition 'at'.
Etymology
Clipping of Nipponese, derived from Nippon, from Japanese 日本 (Nippon).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/nip