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to clip

to clip

51 1.6
To cut hair or plants shorter with scissors
  • verb
  • /klɪp/
translation icon : recortar
  • She used scissors to clip the ends of her hair for a fresh look.
  • clip your nails
  • clip your fingernails
  • clip your toenails

Yeah, actually, just clip that as the intro.

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Examples

  • Pick me, I'll clip your hedges.

  • So to do that, you just clip the whole branch like this.

  • And you want to still clip back a lot of those leaves.

  • We're going to tie back or clip back this side of the hair.

  • Make sure you clip the right wire, otherwise...

  • Would you like to help me clip some thorns?

  • After you get done with that, I want you to clip my toenails.

  • I am going to attempt to clip Dobby's nails.

  • The shop's younger assistant, meanwhile, clips the hair of a long-bearded noble.

    Academic text (2008)
  • With a pair of hand shears, workers clip lateral branches or upright shoots on individual coffee shrubs.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

to cut
vsto clip
623 2.1

To make shapes using scissors or a knife

is general cutting or shortening, not only styling or shaping
to slice
vsto clip
203 1.0

To cut something into thin flat pieces with a knife

covers shortening or trimming rather than creating many thin slices
to chop
vsto clip
193 1.0

To cut something into pieces using a sharp tool like a knife or axe

implies measured trimming or cutting rather than forceful chopping
to cut off
vsto clip
  • NSFW
190 4.1

To remove something by cutting it away from what it is attached to

is often gentler trimming or shortening, not always full detachment
to trim
vsto clip
95 2.6

Cut something to make it smaller or neater

stresses cutting or shortening often with scissors or shears specifically
to cut hair
vsto clip
80 1.0

Make a person's hair shorter using scissors or clippers

applies to cutting many things, not specifically hair
to cut short
vsto clip
67 3.5

Stop something earlier than planned

refers to physical shortening or trimming rather than ending events
to cut down
vsto clip
65 2.7

To make something smaller in amount or number

is the physical act of cutting or trimming rather than abstract reduction
to nip
vsto clip
55 4.6

To pinch quickly with fingers or teeth

refers broadly to cutting or trimming rather than very sharp quick bites
to curtail
vsto clip
52 6.3

To make something shorter or less than planned

is specifically about physically cutting or shortening objects with tools
to chop off
vsto clip
45 3.4

To remove something by cutting, often with a sharp blow

is usually a gentler trimming or shortening action with blades
to shave
vsto clip
25 1.9

Cut very thin slices from things like cheese or wood

focuses on general shortening or trimming rather than shaving thin layers
cut out
vsto clip
25 3.4

A shape removed from paper or cloth with scissors

covers general trimming and shortening rather than making shapes from surfaces
to snip
vsto clip
20 2.1

To cut something quickly and neatly with scissors

is a general act of cutting or shortening, not only tiny precise cuts
to shear
vsto clip
9 3.5

To cut wool or hair from an animal with large scissors

includes cutting with shears but is more general about trimming items
to truncate
vsto clip
8 7.0

To shorten something by cutting off a part, often the end

is broader trimming or shortening, not only removing ends
to lop
vsto clip
8 4.2

Cut off branches to make a tree or plant tidy and healthy

is a general act of cutting or shortening, beyond plants specifically
to prune
vsto clip
6 3.4

Cut branches and stems from a plant to help it grow and keep its shape

is broad cutting or shortening, not limited to plant health purposes
to cut away
vsto clip
5 3.4

To remove a part from something with a knife or tool

includes removing parts but also covers general neat trimming or shortening
to crop
vsto clip
4 2.5

To cut something very short, especially hair or plants

means cutting or shortening in general, not necessarily to a very short length
to cut back
vsto clip
4 3.9

To trim stems or branches so a plant grows better

is general trimming of many items, not only plant maintenance
to scissor
vsto clip
4 4.8

To cut with a tool that has two blades or to move two parts so they cross

is the general act of trimming or shortening with handheld tools
to trim down
vsto clip
3 3.4

To make something smaller by cutting or removing parts

is about physically cutting or shortening, not general reduction methods
to snip off
vsto clip
  • Informal
2 3.7

To cut a small part off something quickly and neatly with scissors or shears

covers general cutting or shortening actions beyond quick neat removals
to clip it
vsto clip
1 7.9

To cut out a part of something like a video, or to tell someone to be quiet

is focused on cutting or trimming objects rather than editing or speech
to trim back
vsto clip
1 3.4

Make a thing smaller by cutting or removing parts

focuses on physical cutting or trimming rather than any reduction method
to poll
vsto clip
  • Specialized
1 8.3

To cut off the top of a tree or branch

is broader cutting or shortening, not only removing top projections
to nip off
vsto clip
5.1

Cut off small parts by pinching or snipping

is broader cutting or shortening, not limited to tiny removed parts
3.6

To cut out and keep a newspaper or magazine article to read later

is a physical trimming or shortening action, not saving printed items

Antonyms

34 2.4

Make something longer in size, distance, or time

Idioms

1 7.2

To limit someone's freedom, power, or plans

at a good clip
  • Informal
1 6.0

Moving at a fairly fast speed

Stop someone from using their power or doing what they want

Phrasal Verbs

1 7.9

To cut out a part of something like a video, or to tell someone to be quiet

1 9.9

To fire all the bullets from a gun until none are left

To cut out and keep a newspaper or magazine article to read later

Compounds

18 1.0

A small bent piece of wire or plastic that holds sheets of paper together

7 3.0

A short part of a movie that people use in news and talks

3 1.0

A small metal or plastic thing that holds hair in place

3 3.7

Made to attach by a small piece that holds on, not by piercing or sewing

2 4.0

A small accessory that fastens to clothing or glasses without piercing

2 3.0

A small metal piece that holds a tie to a shirt to keep it in place

alligator clip
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A small metal clip with a spring and teeth that connects wires temporarily

roach clip
  • NSFW
1 9.9

A small metal tool that holds the end of a marijuana cigarette so you do not burn your fingers

1 3.2

Simple pictures you add to documents or slides

clip joint
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A place like a bar or nightclub that charges high prices and tricks customers

1 5.1

The sound horse hooves make when they hit a hard road in a steady regular beat

1 2.8

A small metal or plastic clip you wear on your ankle to keep trousers out of the bicycle chain

1 2.9

A strong metal holder with a spring and flat ends for keeping papers together

paper clip
  • Texting
1 2.9

A button in email or messaging apps used to attach files to a message

cartridge clip
  • Specialized
7.7

A metal frame that holds bullets so they can be loaded into a gun

3.6

A clip with two rows of teeth that lock together to hold hair

clip artist
  • Offensive
9.6

A person who cheats or overcharges people to get money

clip artist
  • Slang
4.9

A person who makes or edits short videos for social media

clip farmer
  • Jargon
8.5

A person who edits and posts many short videos online to get views

clip farm
  • Jargon
8.1

A company that makes many short social media videos

8.1

A short wire with metal clips at both ends used to make temporary electric connections

3.2

A small metal or plastic piece that keeps sheets of paper together

pincurl clip
  • Specialized
6.6

A small metal piece that holds curled hair while styling

5.3

A clip worn around the ankle to stop trousers getting caught in the bike chain

How Much

to sever
100 5.6
to hack
55 4.7
to cut
1.0
to clip
51 1.6
to trim
95 2.6
snip
1 4.1
to nick
33 3.5

Surface Forms

clip infinitive
clipped past
clipped past participle
clipping present participle
clips third person singular

Etymology

Clip (to cut or trim) comes from an old word klippa meaning 'to cut', just like using clippers, so to clip is to shorten or tidy something by cutting.