dipped; dipping; dips
1
a
: to plunge or immerse momentarily or partially under the surface (as of a liquid) so as to moisten, cool, or coat
dip candles
b
: to thrust in a way to suggest immersion
c
: to immerse (an animal, such as a sheep or dog) in an antiseptic or parasiticidal solution
2
a
: to lift a portion of by reaching below the surface with something shaped to hold liquid : ladle
b
: to take a portion of (snuff)
4
a
: to lower and then raise again
dip a flag in salute
b
chiefly British
: dim sense 1
5
: to place a pinch of (tobacco) between the lip or cheek and gum
He quit dipping snuff, his only vice outside of an occasional beer.—
John Ed Bradley
John Ed Bradley1
a
: to plunge into a liquid and quickly emerge
b
: to immerse something into a processing liquid or finishing material
2
a
: to suddenly drop down or out of sight
b
of an airplane
: to drop suddenly before climbing
c
: to decline or decrease moderately and usually temporarily
prices dipped
d
: to lower the body momentarily especially as part of an athletic or dancing motion
3
: to withdraw a part of the contents of something by or as if by reaching down inside it
—used with into
dipped into his pocket for change
dipped into the family's savings
4
: to examine or read something casually or superficially
—used with into
dip into a book
5
: to incline downward from the plane of the horizon
6
: to use dipping tobacco : to place a pinch of tobacco between the lip or cheek and gum
Four years ago doctors removed a pre-cancerous lesion on the inside of his lower lip, and he can't quit dipping. His New Year's resolution was to quit. He lasted three days.—Rick Reilly
Rick Reilly7
US slang
: to leave especially suddenly or prematurely
I didn't know anyone at the party so I dipped.
—often used with outOn Saturday night, as I'm dipping out early on the decidedly tame afterparty …, I pass one of the models hired by E11even, the Miami nightclub.—Zoë Bernard
Zoë BernardSome actors dip out and pursue a new career while they're young, and others keep going until they can no longer find roles that interest them.—Kristen Harris
Kristen HarrisAmong the diverse crop of winners was Doja Cat, who took home her first ever Grammy in the pop category—which she had to sprint back to accept after dipping out of the gala for a bathroom break.—trtworld.com
trtworld.com"He's been there for me through my darkest times. I'm not just gonna dip out and abandon him when he needs me most."—Dillon Passage, quoted at vanityfair.com
Dillon Passage, quoted at vanityfair.com1
: an act of dipping
especially
: a brief plunge into the water for sport or exercise
a quick dip in the pool
2
3
: the angle formed with the horizon by a magnetic needle free to rotate in the vertical plane
4
: hollow, depression
a dip in the road
5
: something obtained by or used in dipping
a dip of ice cream
a dip of snuff
6
a
: a sauce or soft mixture into which food may be dipped
bean dip
b
: a liquid preparation for the dipping of something
especially
: an insecticide or parasiticide for the dipping of animals
a sheep dip
7
slang
: pickpocket
: a stupid or unsophisticated person
diploma
dual in-line package; dual in-line packaging
Examples of dip in a Sentence
Verb
Use a ladle to dip some water out of the pot.
dipping water from a well
The sun dipped below the horizon.
The road dips over the hill.
I saw his head dip below the surface of the water.
Noun (1)
how did that dip get through medical school?
Noun (2)
marathoners have one last dip before the race course levels off and the finish line comes into view
the city's population has taken a slight dip since the last census
Recent Examples on the Web
Ankita Dhawan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The median price dips to $237,500 heading into University City North.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025
Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
Monday saw some dips and slight drops, but the market rebounded and closed up almost 1%.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dip
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Accenture’s stock dipped almost 7.5% to $285 per share last week after the company reported a decline of 6% in its new bookings at $19.7 billion in Q3 2025.
—Ankita Dhawan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The median price dips to $237,500 heading into University City North.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025
Noun
Turn creamy, cheesy spinach-and-artichoke dip into a rich and brothy soup.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
Monday saw some dips and slight drops, but the market rebounded and closed up almost 1%.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dip
Cite this Entry
“Dip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dip. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dip
1 of 2 verb
dipped; dipping
1
: to sink or push briefly into or as if into a liquid
dip a towel in water
dips a hand into his pocket
2
: to lift out with something that holds liquid : ladle
dip water from a pail
3
: to lower and then raise again
dip a flag in salute
4
a
: to drop down into a liquid and quickly come out
oars dipping rhythmically
b
: to put something for treatment under the surface of a liquid
5
a
: to drop down or out of sight
the road dipped below the crest
b
: to decrease somewhat usually for a short time
prices dipped
6
: to reach down inside or as if inside especially to take out a part of the contents
dipped into their savings
7
: to look at or consider something briefly
especially
: to read a little of something
dip into a book
dip
2 of 2 noun1
: an act of dipping
especially
: a brief plunge into the water for sport or exercise
2
a
: a downward slope
b
: a sharp or slight downward course : drop
a dip in prices
3
: the angle formed with the horizon by a magnetic needle free to rotate in a vertical plane
4
: something obtained by or used in dipping
a dip of ice cream
5
a
: a sauce or soft mixture into which food (as raw vegetables) may be dipped
b
: a liquid into which something may be dipped (as for cleansing or coloring)
Medical Definition
dip
1 of 3 transitive verb
dipped; dipping
: to immerse (as a sheep or hog) in an antiseptic or parasiticidal solution
dip
2 of 3 noun1
: a liquid preparation of an insecticide, parasiticide, or fungicide which is applied to animals by immersing them in it
a sheep dip
2
: a vat or tank in which dip is used
DIP
3 of 3 abbreviation
distal interphalangeal
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