hip

1 of 6

noun (1)

1
a
: the laterally projecting region of each side of the lower or posterior part of the mammalian trunk formed by the lateral parts of the pelvis and upper part of the femur together with the fleshy parts covering them
b
2
: the external angle formed by the meeting of two sloping sides of a roof that have their wall plates running in different directions

hip

2 of 6

adjective

hipper; hippest
1
a
: having or showing awareness of or involvement in the newest developments or styles
b
: very fashionable : trendy
2
: aware or appreciative of something
used with to
got hip to their plan
hiply adverb

hip

3 of 6

interjection

used in a cheer
hip hip hooray

hip

4 of 6

noun (2)

hip

5 of 6

verb

hipped; hipping

transitive verb

: to make aware : tell, inform

hip

6 of 6

noun (3)

Examples of hip in a Sentence

Adjective He tried to learn about the latest bands so he could impress his hip new college friends. She knows how to get into all of the hippest clubs and restaurants. Verb if you want to get hipped on what goes on behind the scenes at a television network, you should read this book
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
That’s not all, as customers can also enjoy steep discounts on daypacks and hip packs for a fraction of their price. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2024 The problem, according to Davis, is how the flared sole impacts your joints, including your ankles, knees, and hips. Laura Lancaster, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024 The Beach Boys, Parmalee and Happy Landing will now be hitting the stage alongside dozens of other national and local pop, hip hop and rock stars at the first-of-its-kind festival. Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024 Get The Recipe 29 of 50 Bee's Knees Honey Cocktail Only three ingredients and a cocktail shaker are required for this Prohibition-era drink that's fit for a hip speakeasy. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024 But: Beware the effort to be cool — to be hip or with-it. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 4 Apr. 2024 The roomy design at the bottom allows babies to move their legs around and has been recognized by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute as promoting healthy hip development. Jessica Booth, Parents, 3 Apr. 2024 All three groups had a decline in waist and hip circumference and body mass index (BMI). Sarah Garone, Health, 29 Mar. 2024 For traditional Italian dinners, in intimate yet somehow still hip environments, Mulligan oscillates between Il Buco — celebrating its 30th anniversary — and Carbone. Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Adjective
It was seen as the hipper, edgier alternative to entrenched establishment clubs like Annabel’s and White’s. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 These looks feel decidedly cooler and hipper than your standard suit, which can often read too buttoned-up or formal for a more casual outing. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2023 Like the new Six Senses, these new openings feel a bit fresher and hipper than the city’s five-star stalwarts. Laura Itzkowitz, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2023 In fact, Smith did in America what Agnès b. was doing in France—turning a fashion brand into an anti-haute, pro-art, super-hip egalitarian statement. Laura Jacobs, WSJ, 12 June 2021
Verb
As Utah embraces the ways of the surfer, the color palette moves from grayish to yellowish, and then, when Bodhi hips him to skydiving, from yellowish to cloudless blue. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024 From casual beach towns to hip urban locales, L.A. is full of charming enclaves waiting to be discovered — and Culver City is one of them. Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023 Bend knees and hips about 45 degrees and stack knees and hips on top of each other. Mallory Creveling, Health, 3 Sep. 2023 Complex was and remains deeply rooted in music and street culture – from sneakers and skaters to hip hop royalty. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 29 June 2023 That's 1 rep. Pro tip: Press hips up throughout movement to keep body in a straight line. Women's Health, 6 Apr. 2023 Inside the library: In this new podcast, L.A. librarian Kevin Awakuni explains why the city’s system is now an incubator for making libraries hip. Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2021 Its imaginative interactive displays explain the evolution of genres from gospel to R&B to hip hop. Andrew Nelson, WSJ, 23 Apr. 2021 Greg Bell hurt his back and hip on the second-to-last play of Thursday's seven-on-seven session. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 29 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English hype; akin to Old High German huf hip

Adjective

alteration of hep entry 2

Interjection

origin unknown

Noun (2)

Middle English hipe, from Old English hēope; akin to Old High German hiafo hip

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Interjection

1811, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1932, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hip was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hip

Cite this Entry

“Hip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hip. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

hip

1 of 3 noun

hip

2 of 3 noun
: the part of the body that curves outward below the waist on each side and is formed by the side part of the pelvis and the upper part of the thigh
hipped
ˈhipt
adjective

hip

3 of 3 adjective
hipper; hippest
1
: keenly aware of or interested in the newest developments
2
Etymology

Noun

Old English hēope "fruit of a rose"

Noun

Old English hype "hip of the body"

Adjective

an altered form of hep "keenly aware of and interested in the newest developments"; of unknown origin

Medical Definition

hip

noun
1
: the laterally projecting region of each side of the lower or posterior part of the mammalian trunk formed by the lateral parts of the pelvis and upper part of the femur together with the fleshy parts covering them
2

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