fillip

verb fil·lip \ ˈfi-ləp \

Definition of fillip

transitive verb

1 a :to make a filliping motion with

b :to strike or tap with a fillip

filliped him on the nose

2 :to project quickly by or as if by a fillip

fillip crumbs off the table

3 :stimulate

with this to fillip his spirits
—Robert Westerby

fillip was our Word of the Day on 12/11/2016. Hear the podcast!

Examples of fillip in a Sentence

used a splash of orange-flavored liqueur to fillip the otherwise ordinary cranberry sauce

Did You Know?

Like "flip" and "flick," "fillip" is considered a phonetic imitation of the sharp release of a curled-up finger aimed to strike something. Language history suggests that people were "filliping" in the 15th-century, well before they were "flipping" (1567) and "flicking" (1629). Specifically, "fillip" describes a strike or gesture made by the sudden straightening of a finger curled up against the thumb - a motion commonly referred to as "a flick." It didn't take long before the sensational stinging smartness of filliping was extended to figurative use. "I mark this in our old Mogul's wine; it's quite as deadening to some as filliping to others," observes Herman Melville's Dutch sailor of wine's "stimulating" effect in Moby Dick.

Origin and Etymology of fillip

probably of imitative origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

fillip Synonyms

Synonyms

amp (up), brace, energize, enliven, animate, fire, ginger (up), invigorate, jazz (up), juice up, jump-start, liven (up), pep (up), quicken, spike, stimulate, vitalize, vivify, zip (up)

Antonyms

damp, dampen, deaden, dull, kill

Related Words

arouse, awake, awaken, raise, rouse, stir, wake (up); activate, actuate, drive, impel, motivate, motive, move, propel; charge, electrify, galvanize; enkindle, excite, ferment, foment, incite, inflame (also enflame), instigate, kindle, provoke, set off, spark, trigger, turn on, whip (up); abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, infuse, inspire, lift, rally, steel, strengthen; reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, recreate, reenergize, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, reinvigorate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, restimulate, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, revive

Near Antonyms

burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, fag, fatigue, harass, kayo, knock out, sap, tucker (out), undermine, wash out, weaken, wear, wear out, weary; check, curb, inhibit, jade, quell, quench, repress, restrain, slow, still, stunt, suppress; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

fillip

noun

Definition of fillip

1 a :a blow or gesture made by the sudden forcible straightening of a finger curled up against the thumb

b :a short sharp blow :buffet

2 :something tending to arouse or excite: such as

a :stimulus

just the fillip my confidence needed

lent a fillip of danger to the sport

b :a trivial addition :embellishment

showy fillips of language

c :a significant and often unexpected development :wrinkle

plot twists and fillips

See fillip defined for English-language learners

See fillip defined for kids

Examples of fillip in a Sentence

a structural fillip that will add much to the appearance of the building
lent a fillip of danger to the sport

Recent Examples of fillip from the Web

The news will hand rivals Liverpool a fillip just one day before the window slams shut, and the Reds would have no issues enticing the 24-year-old to Anfield as BBC Sport understands that 'the Ox' is holding out for a move up north.

— SI.com, "Chelsea Left Stunned as Arsenal Contract Rebel Oxlade-Chamberlain Rejects £40m Move," 30 Aug. 2017
If anything, that would give them a fillip of energy, a recruitment tool.

— kyle smith, National Review, "Destroying Symbols: Where Does It End?," 15 Aug. 2017
Such moves are giving a fillip to the economic growth of the country.

— time staff, Time, "Read the Full Transcript of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day Speech," 15 Aug. 2017
Rovio attributed its 2016 fillip to both a record performance in its games division and the success of the first Angry Birds movie (a sequel will come out in 2019).

— david meyer, Fortune, "‘Angry Birds’ Maker Rovio Could Launch IPO Next Month," 14 Aug. 2017
Lower oil prices lead to cheaper gasoline prices, which can prompt consumers to increase their spending on other goods and services, usually a fillip for the wider economy.

— peter eavis, New York Times, "10-Year Treasury Notes," 13 Jan. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fillip.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.