clip

Everyday

1. A clip is a small object that holds things together or in place: a paper clip, a hair clip. tree →
2. To clip means to fasten with a clip: clip the badge onto your coat. tree →
3. To clip means to cut small bits off with scissors or clippers: clip the hedge, clip your nails. tree →
4. A clip is a short piece of a film or video. tree →
5. To clip means to hit lightly at the edge: the car clipped the kerb. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life: paper clips, hair clips, clipping a dog's nails, video clips on a tablet. In safety, children clip on helmets and seat belts properly (buckles that click); online, short clips can be fake or edited to mislead. In science, crocodile clips connect wires in electric circuits. Phrases: paper clip, hair clip, video clip, clip on, clip together, crocodile clip, at a fast clip (fast).

Examples

• Hold the pages together with a paper clip. tree →
• She wore a butterfly clip in her hair. tree →
• We watched a short clip of a volcano erupting. tree →
• Clip the wires to the battery with crocodile clips. tree →
• Dad clipped the hedge in the garden. tree →
• Make sure your helmet strap is clipped under your chin. tree →
• The bike clipped the edge of the pavement. tree →
• Was it not enough to clip off the end of my beard? tree →

Note

Double p: clipped, clipping. A «clipping» is also a piece cut from a newspaper (UK «cutting»). Online video clips may be cut to show only part of what happened — check the whole story.