clip
A clip is a small tool used to hold things together or a short piece of a video.
Explanation at your level:
You use clip to talk about small things that hold paper. You can also use it for a short movie. Example: 'I have a paper clip.' It is a very useful word for school and home.
A clip is a tool for holding things. You can also 'clip' your hair or 'clip' a coupon. It is a common word for daily tasks. Think of a paper clip or a video clip on your phone.
At the B1 level, clip is used for both physical fasteners and digital media. You might 'clip' an article for your project or watch a 'video clip' online. It describes the act of trimming or fastening efficiently.
Clip functions as both a noun and a verb with high frequency in professional and casual registers. You might 'clip' a section of a document or refer to a 'news clip'. It conveys precision and brevity in communication.
In advanced usage, clip denotes precise extraction or mechanical fastening. It appears in idiomatic expressions like 'clipping wings' to signify restriction. Its usage reflects a nuance of speed and efficiency, often used to describe rapid movement or sharp, concise editing in media production.
Mastery of clip involves understanding its etymological shift from 'embrace' to 'sever'. In literary contexts, it may imply a sharp, sudden action. It is used in diverse fields, from cinematography (editing clips) to mechanics (fastening components), demonstrating its semantic breadth and historical evolution.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Small fastener tool
- Short video/audio segment
- Action of cutting/trimming
- Used as noun or verb
Hey there! The word clip is a super versatile term that pops up in everyday life constantly. At its heart, it usually refers to two main ideas: holding and cutting.
When you think of a physical object, a clip is that handy little gadget—like a binder clip or a hair clip—that keeps things tidy and in place. It’s all about control and organization.
On the digital side, we use clip to describe a short segment of a video or song. If you’ve ever shared a funny 30-second video on social media, you’ve shared a clip! Finally, as a verb, it means to trim or cut. Whether you are clipping your nails or clipping a coupon out of a magazine, the action is all about removing the excess.
The history of clip is actually a tale of two different words that merged over time. The 'cutting' meaning comes from the Old English clyppan, which originally meant to embrace or clasp, but evolved to mean cutting away pieces.
The 'fastening' meaning has roots in Old Norse klippa, which was used to describe cutting or shearing sheep. Over the centuries, these meanings drifted together. By the 19th century, the term began to be used for mechanical fasteners that 'gripped' items together, much like a hand would.
It is fascinating how a word that once meant 'to hug' (embrace) eventually came to mean 'to cut' (shear). Language is always changing, and clip is a perfect example of how specific actions become generalized tools in our vocabulary.
Using clip is straightforward, but it depends on your context. In a professional setting, you might talk about a 'video clip' for a presentation or 'clipping' data from a report.
In casual conversation, you’ll hear it used for 'clipping along' (moving fast) or 'getting a clip' (a haircut). Common collocations include paper clip, hair clip, video clip, and clipping coupons.
Remember, the register is usually neutral. You can use it in a boardroom or at the dinner table without sounding out of place. Just pay attention to whether you are using it as a noun (the object) or a verb (the action).
Idioms make language colorful! Here are five ways we use clip:
- At a fast clip: Moving very quickly. 'The car was moving at a fast clip down the highway.'
- Clip someone's wings: To limit someone's freedom. 'His parents had to clip his wings after he stayed out too late.'
- Clip the ears: A light, playful slap to the ear. 'He got his ears clipped for being cheeky.'
- Clip joint: A place that overcharges customers. 'That bar is a total clip joint.'
- Clip in: To attach firmly, like pedals on a bike. 'Make sure you clip in before you start cycling.'
Clip is a regular verb. The past tense and past participle are clipped, and the present participle is clipping. As a noun, the plural is simply clips.
Pronunciation is straightforward: /klɪp/ in both British and American English. It rhymes with trip, slip, ship, dip, and flip.
The stress is always on the single syllable. It’s a very punchy, short word, which reflects its meaning of being sharp or quick. No complex grammar patterns here, just keep it simple and direct!
Fun Fact
It used to mean 'to hug'.
Pronunciation Guide
Short, crisp 'i' sound.
Similar to UK, very sharp.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'cleep'
- Adding an extra syllable
- Ignoring the final 'p'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Regular Verbs
clip -> clipped
Plural Nouns
clip -> clips
Consonant Doubling
clip -> clipping
Examples by Level
I need a paper clip.
I need a small metal holder.
Noun usage.
Watch this video clip.
Look at this short movie.
Noun usage.
Please clip the papers.
Please fasten the papers.
Verb usage.
I clip my nails.
I cut my nails.
Verb usage.
It is a funny clip.
It is a funny short video.
Noun usage.
Clip the coupon out.
Cut the discount paper.
Verb usage.
Where is the hair clip?
Where is the hair fastener?
Noun usage.
The clip is small.
The fastener is tiny.
Noun usage.
Clip the hedge to keep it neat.
I watched a news clip about the weather.
She used a clip to hold her hair back.
The teacher asked us to clip the articles.
He is clipping along at a good speed.
Do you have a spare clip?
The video clip was only ten seconds.
I need to clip these loose threads.
The editor decided to clip the interview for the broadcast.
He felt like his wings were being clipped by the new rules.
Please clip the receipt to the expense report.
The car was moving at a fast clip through the city.
I found a great clip of the concert on YouTube.
She clipped the microphone to her lapel.
Don't forget to clip your seatbelt.
The gardener clipped the bushes into a perfect shape.
The documentary features a short clip from the 1950s.
He was accused of running a clip joint in the city center.
She clipped the article from the newspaper for her collection.
The athlete is clipping seconds off his personal best.
The sound of the horse's hooves made a steady clip-clop.
The manager had to clip the wings of the project's budget.
Everything is clipped neatly into the folder.
The audio clip was distorted and hard to hear.
The director chose to clip the scene to improve the pacing.
His speech was delivered at a sharp, professional clip.
She clipped the document to the file with a heavy-duty fastener.
The journalist was known for her ability to clip the essence of a story.
The company's growth is moving at a blistering clip.
He felt the pressure to clip his ambitions to suit the firm.
The video clip went viral within hours of being posted.
She carefully clipped the hedge, ensuring perfect symmetry.
The etymological journey of the word clip is quite profound.
He clipped the wings of his ego to better serve the team.
The film was a montage of historical clips and archival footage.
The machine clips the metal sheets with industrial precision.
She moved with a brisk clip, eager to reach her destination.
The critic described the performance as a series of disjointed clips.
He was known to clip his words, speaking with extreme brevity.
The tension in the room was palpable, clipped and precise.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"At a fast clip"
Very quickly
The project is moving at a fast clip.
casual"Clip someone's wings"
To restrict someone
The boss clipped his wings.
idiomatic"Clip joint"
Dishonest business
Avoid that shop, it's a clip joint.
slang"Clip the ears"
Light punishment
He got his ears clipped.
informal"Clip in"
Secure equipment
Make sure you clip in your safety gear.
neutral"Clip on"
Attachable
I bought clip on sunglasses.
neutralEasily Confused
similar sounds
clasp is for jewelry
The clasp on the bracelet.
similar meaning
grip is stronger
He has a firm grip.
similar action
cut is general
Cut the cake.
similar action
trim is for neatness
Trim the edges.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + clip + noun
I clip the paper.
Subject + watch + a + clip
I watch a clip.
Subject + clip + noun + onto + noun
Clip the mic onto your shirt.
Subject + move + at + a + clip
They move at a fast clip.
Subject + clip + wings
He clipped his wings.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Clip implies small or precise cuts.
Clasp is often a type of lock.
Simple plural rule.
Clip is specifically short.
Double P only in verb forms.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant paperclip on your desk.
Native Usage
Use it for short media.
Cultural Insight
Clipping coupons is a classic habit.
Grammar Rule
Double the 'p' for -ing.
Say It Right
Keep the 'i' short.
Mistake
Don't use it for long movies.
Did You Know?
It once meant 'to hug'.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences daily.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Clip = Cut Little Items Precisely.
Visual Association
A paperclip holding two sheets of paper.
Word Web
Challenge
Find 3 things you can clip today.
Word Origin
Old English/Old Norse
Original meaning: To embrace/shear
Cultural Context
None
Commonly used in office and media settings.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Office
- paper clip
- clip together
- attach with a clip
Media
- video clip
- audio clip
- news clip
Gardening
- clip the hedge
- clip the branches
- trim and clip
Personal Care
- hair clip
- clip nails
- clip threads
Conversation Starters
"What is your favorite video clip?"
"Do you use paper clips often?"
"Have you ever clipped a coupon?"
"How do you keep your hair back?"
"Do you like to garden and clip bushes?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you used a clip.
Describe a funny video clip you saw.
Why do we use paper clips?
What does 'clip your wings' mean to you?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is usually short.
Yes, you can trim it.
Yes, it can be a verb or a noun.
A wire clip for paper.
Only in specific idiomatic contexts.
It is neutral.
A dishonest business.
Add an 's'.
Test Yourself
I use a ___ to hold my papers.
Clip is a fastener.
Which means to cut?
Clip means to trim.
A clip is a long movie.
Clips are short.
Word
Meaning
Matches items to definitions.
I watched the clip.
Score: /5
Summary
Clip is a versatile word for holding things together or cutting them down to size.
- Small fastener tool
- Short video/audio segment
- Action of cutting/trimming
- Used as noun or verb
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant paperclip on your desk.
Native Usage
Use it for short media.
Cultural Insight
Clipping coupons is a classic habit.
Grammar Rule
Double the 'p' for -ing.
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