clip - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
clip Word Meanings
- to cut something with scissors or shears
- to attach or fasten something
- a short sequence from a movie or show
clip Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
clip Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/klɪp/
US
/klɪp/
clip Word Etymology
Clip: 'clip' comes from Old English 'clipian' (to embrace, to fasten) + 'clippan' (to cut). It appeared in the early Middle Ages through Germanic origins. Imagine a pair of scissors snipping through paper, embracing and cutting simultaneously.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I reach for the scissors and grip them, then I move the edge along the paper. I push and pull, adjusting my wrist as the line shifts and a clean cut forms. I hold the sheet steady, set my aim, and place the scrap down. Later, a short clip of a moment pops into memory, crisp and small, ready to be recalled.
Real Context
Clip is a versatile word with three core senses: to cut something with scissors or shears; to attach or fasten something with a clip; and a short sequence from a film or television show. In everyday use you clip papers, you clip coupons, or you clip hair. The noun clip can refer to a fastening device or to a short video segment, especially in media contexts. Learners should watch for collocations like paper clip, hair clip, video clip, and clip art, and distinguish cutting, fastening, and excerpt meanings based on the object and verb used.
Usage Reminders
- • Identify the sense first: cut, fasten, or video fragment
- • Use concrete collocations: paper clip, hair clip, video clip
- • Don’t confuse clip with clipper or clipping (tool vs action)
- • Prefer clip alone for a small video excerpt; use clip for a fastener context
- • Check object and verb: if an object is involved, expect fastening; if not, it may be a clip as video
Common Misconceptions
- Clip always means cutting something
- A clip is only a fastener, never a video
- To clip a file means to clip it with scissors
- Clip and clipping are the same thing
- A paper clip can’t be used to hold larger stacks
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker: English treats clip as a multifunction word with clear cuts between fastening, cutting, and media excerpts; learners should map each sense to its typical nouns and verbs rather than relying on a single translation.
Learning Tips
- Practice the three senses with concrete examples
- Create your own collocations: paper clip, hair clip, video clip
- Notice how the object changes meaning (paper vs video)
- Compare clip with similar words: cut, fasten, fragment
- Listen for pronunciation: clip (short i) vs clipping (longer i)
- Use a dictionary to track sense-by-sense usage
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'clip'?
A.Jump
B.Fly
C.Laugh
D.Fasten
Step 2: Usage
In which sentence is the word 'clip' used correctly?
A.She wore a clip on her head.
B.He saw a bird clip his wings.
C.The baby learned to clip.
D.They clip at the park.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'clip'?
A.Load
B.Detach
C.Attach
D.Empty
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is an opposite of 'clip'?
A.Secure
B.Cut
C.Release
D.Connect
Step 5: Mastery
How is the word 'clip' used in real life?
A.To cook food
B.To fasten papers together
C.To write a story
D.To plant flowers
Related Listening
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