nipped; nipping
1
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
E. M. Smith3
: to injure or make numb with cold : chill
The wind was nipping our cheeks.
4
5
: to defeat by a small margin
They nipped our team 61 to 57.
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
Bernard Shaw4
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
Shirley Slater1
: 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
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
Synonyms
Examples of nip in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebMeilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
New growth is nipped back and then small branches are removed from the insides of the shrubs to create openings between layers of foliage.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
Dallas nipped the Lions, 20-19, in Week 17 in Texas in extreme controversial fashion after a 2-point conversion was nullified by a referee mistake.
—Detroit Free Press, 14 Jan. 2024
Polling shows DeSantis is in distant second behind Trump and with Haley nipping at his heels, according to a Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll from December.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024
To nip seasonal allergies in the bud, don’t miss the double discounts on this air purifier that can filter dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke from the air.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024
As a result, all 50 of the accommodations that dot the perimeter of the island have been carefully set back from the oceanfront so as not to disrupt the animals that rely on being able to nip from sea to jungle with haste.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024
The trousers' high waist and streamlined pleats nip you in while effortlessly elongating your legs.
—Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024
Vasilije Micić will be nipping at his heels because of his knowledge of the game overall, but Micić is still learning how to adjust to the NBA style of action.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024
Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024
The plush bird at the end of the string is stuffed with cat nip and crinkly material to entice your furry friend.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024
Sometimes while licking, a cat will even throw in a light nip or painful bite as well.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2023
Known for this particular silhouette, the white Mugler corset nips in at Kardashian's waist while instead accentuating her hips.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024
The nips currently have a 5-cent fee, rather than a deposit, and drinkers cannot bring the bottles back in an attempt to receive a nickel for each one.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2024
Even before the first shivery nip, the sight of the Melona Colada cocktail served at Kato dowtown in August eased the high fever of summer.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
The popper just disappears, and even though these kinds of takes are less flashy, you’ll be surprised by the size of the fish that will just give you the old tail nip.
—Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024
The fact that [nip bottles] facilitate consuming hard liquor while driving seems to be equally problematic.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2024
Verb
Coatsworth’s three-legged cocker spaniel, Tubby, was the disaster’s only casualty: Though a bystander tried to grab the dog from the reporter’s car, the frightened pup nipped at his hand, leading the would-be rescuer to abandon his efforts.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
New growth is nipped back and then small branches are removed from the insides of the shrubs to create openings between layers of foliage.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
Dallas nipped the Lions, 20-19, in Week 17 in Texas in extreme controversial fashion after a 2-point conversion was nullified by a referee mistake.
—Detroit Free Press, 14 Jan. 2024
Polling shows DeSantis is in distant second behind Trump and with Haley nipping at his heels, according to a Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll from December.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024
To nip seasonal allergies in the bud, don’t miss the double discounts on this air purifier that can filter dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke from the air.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024
As a result, all 50 of the accommodations that dot the perimeter of the island have been carefully set back from the oceanfront so as not to disrupt the animals that rely on being able to nip from sea to jungle with haste.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024
The trousers' high waist and streamlined pleats nip you in while effortlessly elongating your legs.
—Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024
Vasilije Micić will be nipping at his heels because of his knowledge of the game overall, but Micić is still learning how to adjust to the NBA style of action.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
Evan Hansen reached into the cast on his left arm and eased out a nip of whiskey.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024
The plush bird at the end of the string is stuffed with cat nip and crinkly material to entice your furry friend.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024
Sometimes while licking, a cat will even throw in a light nip or painful bite as well.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2023
Known for this particular silhouette, the white Mugler corset nips in at Kardashian's waist while instead accentuating her hips.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024
The nips currently have a 5-cent fee, rather than a deposit, and drinkers cannot bring the bottles back in an attempt to receive a nickel for each one.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2024
Even before the first shivery nip, the sight of the Melona Colada cocktail served at Kato dowtown in August eased the high fever of summer.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2024
The popper just disappears, and even though these kinds of takes are less flashy, you’ll be surprised by the size of the fish that will just give you the old tail nip.
—Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024
The fact that [nip bottles] facilitate consuming hard liquor while driving seems to be equally problematic.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Nip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nip. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nip
1 of 3 verb
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
6
: to move quickly or nimbly
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
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