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verb

snip

snihp
verb
1
To cut with a quick, small motion, as with scissors.
"She snipped the loose thread off her sleeve."
noun
1
A small cut, or a small piece cut off something.
"He took a snip of fabric to match the colour later."
2
A bargain — something bought for less than it's worth.
"At that price, the jacket was an absolute snip."

How to Use Snip

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small, quick cut — or, informally in British English, a great bargain.

UK vs US

The "bargain" sense ("it was a snip at that price") is chiefly British.

Common pairings
snip off a quick snip a snip at the price

Word Forms

snipped past tense, snips plural, snips singular

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He took a _____ of fabric to match the colour later.

Etymology

From Dutch or Low German snippen ("to snip, shred"), likely imitating the sound of scissors.

Rhymes for snip

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial