nip

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈnip 

nipped; nipping

transitive verb

1

a

: to catch hold of and squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points : pinch, bite

the dog nipped his ankle

b

: to pinch in (a garment)

a dress nipped at the waist

2

a

: to sever by or as if by pinching sharply

nipped the dead flowers from the plant

b

: to destroy the growth, progress, or fulfillment of

What could have been a sad story about a young star's career nipped in the bud has become a lesson in human resilience.

—E. M. Smith

3

: to injure or make numb with cold : chill

The wind was nipping our cheeks.

4

: snatch, steal

Some feed on insects, others on fish eggs and fry, still others on scraps of fin nipped off neighboring fish …

—David Quammen

5

: to defeat by a small margin

They nipped our team 61 to 57.

intransitive verb

1

: to bite or pinch someone or something lightly

The dog nipped at my ankles.

2

: to harm or numb someone or something with cold

The icy wind nipped at my nose.

3

: to move briskly, nimbly, or quickly

A photographer nipped in and snapped him dead …

—Bernard Shaw

4

chiefly British : to make a quick trip

One day during a brief stop, one of them … nipped off the train … to purchase an esoteric label of single-malt Scotch for us that The Royal Scotsman bar didn't stock.

—Shirley Slater

nip

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: something that nips: such as

a

archaic : a sharp biting comment

b

: a sharp stinging cold

a nip in the air

c

: a biting or pungent flavor : tang

2

: the act of nipping : pinch, bite

3

: the region of a squeezing or crushing device (such as a calender) where the rolls or jaws are closest together

4

: a small portion

nip

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a small quantity of liquor : sip

also : a very small bottle of liquor

nip

4 of 4

verb (2)

nipped; nipping

intransitive verb

: to take liquor in nips : tipple

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• bob
• clip
• crop
• cut
• cut back
• dock
• lop (off)
• pare
• poll
• prune
• shave
• shear
• snip
• trim

Noun (1)

• piquancy
• pungency
• spice
• tang
• zest
• zing

Examples of nip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While this outage was quickly nipped in the bud, the fact that there have been two other major outages this year doesn’t inspire confidence. —Victoria Song, The Verge, 16 Nov. 2023

There are zero excuses for this type of treatment, and matters will only be exacerbated if management fails to intervene and nip it in the bud. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

Not just in a nipping, lifting, and shielding sort of way, but emotionally supportive? —Larissa Hofmann, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2023

When the air outside begins to nip, and the rest of the neighborhood is adorned in twinkle lights and strands of garland, my childhood home would fill with the smell of oil and crisping potatoes as my mother, Emily Angel Baer, transformed into the Latke Lady. —Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2023

Dramamine Non-drowsy Medication Motion sickness can rear its ugly head during the most inopportune times, so Stuckey recommends stocking up on a non-drowsy Dramamine ahead of your next flight to nip this issue in the bud. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2023

Built in 1965 and sited on a quarter-plus-acre parcel that’s nipped down a pin-drop quiet cul-de-sac just below the Hollywood Sign, the private, low-slung home was updated and modernized in 1994 by avant-garde architect Michael Maltzan. —Mark David, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2023

In 2022, it was reported that streaming, which had for years been nipping at the heels of broadcast television and cable, finally drew a higher viewership share than both, in the same month, for the first time. —Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023

Mosquitoes got in and nipped at their ankles and wrists, some said. —Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2023

Noun

This tiny manuscript shows that the paranormal nips at the heels of her most famous work, Jane Eyre. —V.m. Braganza, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2023

While dog lovers cherish their pets’ affection, their licks and nips can potentially spread harmful germs. —Rebecca Carballo, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2023

During a segment about Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo’s plan to present a proposal to outlaw the small bottles, which often end up as litter, cohost Courtney Cox suggested that the show’s participants rank their favorite nips. —Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Mar. 2023

In these situations, the Hatch Essential Bra may become your go-to, since customers rave about how soft the fabric is, even for irritated nips. —Jasmine Gomez, Women's Health, 18 Aug. 2023

Whimsy also loves chasing the laser toy, cat nip toys, and bird wand toys. —The Republic, The Arizona Republic, 26 Aug. 2023

This extra, low-effort step makes guests feel especially welcome, as well as nips any potential musical chairs awkwardness in the bud. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2023

While the researchers think these tests suggest a shark would be tempted to take an exploratory nip out of a cocaine bale, not all shark researchers are taking the bait. —Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 26 July 2023

Similarly, small nips or nibbling can be part of grooming and your cat could just be trying to spiff you up a little. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English nippen; akin to Middle Dutch nipen to pinch, Old Norse hnippa to prod

Noun (2)

probably from nipperkin, a liquor container

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1796, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1887, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nip

• nip off
• nip and tuck
• nip-up
• nip slip
• nip (something) in the bud

• nip off
• nip and tuck
• nip-up
• nip slip
• nip (something) in the bud

Video

'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?

We're gonna stop you right there

Kids Definition

nip

1 of 3 verb

ˈnip 

nipped; nipping

1

: to catch hold of and squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points

the dog nipped my ankle

2

: to cut off by pinching or clipping

3

: to destroy the growth or progress of

nipped in the bud

4

: to make numb with cold : chill

5

: to seize suddenly and forcibly : snatch, steal

6

: to move quickly or nimbly

nip

2 of 3 noun

1

: something (as a sharp stinging cold or a biting flavor) that nips

cheese with a nip

2

: the act of nipping : pinch, bite

3

: a small portion : bit

nip

3 of 3 noun

: a small quantity of liquor

takes a nip now and then

Etymology

Verb

Middle English nippen "to nip"

Noun

probably a shortened form of nipperkin "a liquor container"; of unknown origin