gip: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, Slang, Archaic/Regional
Quick answer
What does “gip” mean?
To swindle, cheat, or defraud someone, often out of money.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To swindle, cheat, or defraud someone, often out of money.
To cause a sharp, sudden pain or discomfort; to vomit (archaic/regional).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'gip' (or 'gippo') can be a highly offensive racial slur for a Romani person, which must be avoided. The 'cheat' sense is understood but rare. The 'vomit' sense is found in Northern English dialects. In the US, the word is virtually unknown; the 'cheat' sense might be encountered only in very niche criminal slang.
Connotations
UK: Strongly negative due to offensive slur association; otherwise dated/colloquial. US: Obscure, potentially confusing.
Frequency
Extremely rare in standard usage in both regions. Its use is discouraged due to potential for causing offense in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “gip” in a Sentence
[Subject] gips [Object] (out of [Money/Thing])[Subject] feels gippedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gip” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dodgy mechanic tried to gip me on the repair cost.
- I think we've been gipped; this souvenir is falling apart.
American English
- The street vendor gipped the tourist out of twenty dollars.
- Don't let him gip you on the deal.
adjective
British English
- It was a real gip job, the paint peeled off in a week.
- He's known for his gip schemes.
American English
- That's a gip price for such a small portion.
- I'm tired of these gip tactics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Use 'defraud', 'overcharge'.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Rare. If used, it's in informal complaints about being overcharged or receiving poor value.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gip”
- Spelling: 'gyp' is a common variant.
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Using it in the UK without awareness of its offensive potential as a slur.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare in standard English. 'Rip off' is the far more common and safer informal term for the same idea.
It is etymologically derived from 'gypsy', a term for the Romani people that is now considered a pejorative ethnic slur, based on harmful stereotypes of dishonesty.
They are spelling variants of the same word, with 'gyp' being slightly more common, especially in American usage. Both carry the same meanings and potential for offense.
Use neutral terms like 'cheat', 'swindle', 'defraud', or informal terms like 'rip off', 'con', or 'fleece'. These are clear and avoid any offensive connotations.
To swindle, cheat, or defraud someone, often out of money.
Gip is usually informal, slang, archaic/regional in register.
Gip: in British English it is pronounced /ɡɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “feel gipped (feel cheated/disappointed)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'gypsy' (a term now considered offensive) being unfairly stereotyped as a swindler → to GIP someone is to swindle them. (Note: This mnemonic highlights the problematic etymology, not endorses the stereotype.)
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION IS THEFT (he gipped me out of £50).
Practice
Quiz
In which context should you AVOID using the word 'gip'?