snips

IPA/snˈɪps/

KK[snˈɪps]IPA/snˈɪps/

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2

Definition

to make short, fast cuts in paper, cloth, hair, or plants using scissors or another sharp blade

Example

Gabriela snips the loose thread off her shirt before the school photo.

snip + object off [noun]

The barber snips carefully around Christopher's ears with a tiny pair of scissors.

intransitive: snip around [area]

Common collocations

snip off
snip away
snip a thread
snip the ends

Synonyms

clip
very close in meaning; 'clip' often suggests trimming nails, hedges, or coupons
trim
to cut small amounts to tidy something, less about the quick blade action
cut
general word; 'snip' adds the idea of short, fast strokes

Grammar Patterns

snip + object

snip off + object

Usage Note

Often takes 'off' or 'away' to show that a small piece is removed. The cuts are short and repeated, unlike one long cut made with 'cut'.

Common Mistakes

He snipped the rope in one strong pull.

He cut the rope in one strong pull.

'snip' means many small, quick cuts, not one big slice.

1.nounB2

Definition

a single short, fast cut made with scissors, or the small sound that such a cut makes

Example

With one quick snip, Élise cut the ribbon to open the new library.

with one quick snip

The hairdresser gave the fringe a small snip to make it even.

give [something] a snip

Common collocations

a quick snip
one snip
a little snip

Synonyms

cut
general term; 'snip' is specifically small and quick
clip
a quick cut, often of nails or coupons

Grammar Patterns

a snip of [noun]

Usage Note

Often counted: 'one snip', 'a few snips'. Frequently paired with 'quick' or 'little' to stress how small and fast the cut is.

2.nounC1

Definition

an informal name for the small operation that stops a man from being able to make a woman pregnant

Example

After their third child, Christopher decided to have the snip.

informal: have the snip

The doctor explained that the snip is a quick and safe operation.

the snip as the operation

Common collocations

have the snip
get the snip

Synonyms

vasectomy
the formal medical term for the same operation

Grammar Patterns

have the snip

Usage Note

Almost always 'the snip', used as a gentle, everyday way to avoid the medical word 'vasectomy'. Common in British speech.

3.nounC1

Definition

something you can buy for much less money than it is really worth

Example

At twenty pounds, the leather jacket was a real snip.

a snip at [price]

Maeve grabbed the sofa quickly because it was such a snip in the sale.

such a snip

Common collocations

a real snip
such a snip
a snip at

Synonyms

bargain
the most common neutral word for a cheap good buy
steal
informal; stresses how surprisingly cheap something is

Antonyms

rip-off
informal; something far too expensive for what it is

Grammar Patterns

be a snip

a snip at [price]

Usage Note

Used with 'a' and often the verb 'be': 'it's a snip'. Frequently followed by 'at' plus the low price. Mainly British and informal.

4.nounC1

Definition

a strong hand tool, shaped like large scissors, used mainly for cutting thin sheets of metal

Example

Tamar used a pair of snips to cut the metal roofing into neat strips.

a pair of snips

The snips were sharp enough to slice through the thin steel plate.

plural verb: the snips were

Common collocations

a pair of snips
tin snips
metal snips

Synonyms

shears
broader term for large scissors used on metal, plants, or sheep
tinsnips
a more specific name for snips made for cutting tin and light metal

Grammar Patterns

a pair of snips

Usage Note

Plural in form and used with a plural verb, like 'scissors': 'the snips are sharp'. Counted with 'a pair of snips'.

Common Mistakes

Hand me that snip for the metal.

Hand me those snips for the metal.

the tool is always plural, like scissors.

Word family

snip
verbB2
snip
nounB2
snippet
nounC1
snippy
adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe removing material with a blade, but they differ in size and purpose. 'Cut' is the broad, neutral word for any single act of dividing something with a sharp edge. 'Snip' is narrower: it means short, quick cuts, usually with scissors, and often removes a tiny piece — you snip a thread or snip off a label. 'Clip' overlaps with 'snip' but tends to suggest neatening fixed things like nails, hedges, or saving coupons. 'Trim' focuses on the goal of tidying — cutting small amounts so something looks even, such as trimming a beard or a hedge. Compare: a tailor snips a loose thread, a gardener trims the hedge, and you clip your nails — each verb fits its small, careful job.

snip ↗clip ↗trim ↗cut ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

snip off the end
a quick snip
a pair of snips

Prepositions

Etymology

Low German/DutchEnglish

'Snip' first appeared in English in the late 1500s, probably borrowed from Low German or Dutch 'snippen', a word that imitated the short, sharp sound of cutting. The same sound-based root gave English words like 'snap' and 'snippet'. From the cutting action came later meanings: a single quick cut, the scissors-like metal tool, and the British informal senses of a cheap bargain and a minor operation.

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snips

snips — verb

1. to make short, fast cuts in paper, cloth, hair, or plants using scissors or anot

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

snips — noun

1. a single short, fast cut made with scissors, or the small sound that such a cut

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

2. an informal name for the small operation that stops a man from being able to mak

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

3. something you can buy for much less money than it is really worth

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

4. a strong hand tool, shaped like large scissors, used mainly for cutting thin she

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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