quip
C2Formal, Literary, Conversational (educated contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A clever, witty, or sarcastic remark made quickly and playfully.
Any concise, clever, or amusing observation. Also used as a verb to mean the act of making such a remark.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Traditionally implies quickness and cleverness, often with a sharp or sarcastic edge. The verb usage is less frequent but well-established.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. 'Quip' is understood and used similarly in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, it connotes intelligence, verbal dexterity, and often a light-hearted, non-malicious tone.
Frequency
Slightly more common in written English (journalism, literature) than in casual everyday speech in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to quip that...he quippedshe quipped in replyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not the central part of any major idiom.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, but may appear in profiles of charismatic leaders or in commentary on press conferences.
Academic
Used in literary or rhetorical analysis to describe dialogue or an author's style.
Everyday
Used to describe a particularly clever or funny off-the-cuff remark.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'It must be the weather,' he quipped dryly as the meeting descended into chaos.
- The Prime Minister quipped that the opposition's plan was 'imaginative fiction'.
American English
- 'I work for my coffee,' she quipped, heading back to the espresso machine.
- The senator quipped that the bill needed more work than his old car.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She made a funny quip and everyone laughed.
- His quick quip ended the argument on a light note.
- The journalist was known for her sharp wit and constant quipping.
- He couldn't resist delivering a quip about the terrible coffee.
- The author's narrative is peppered with dry, philosophical quips that undercut the protagonist's pomposity.
- Retorting with a well-timed quip, she defused the tension in the negotiation room.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
QUIP sounds like 'QUICK' and 'LIP' – a quick remark from your lips.
Conceptual Metaphor
VERBAL JOUSTING IS COMBAT (e.g., 'he parried with a quip').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid over-translating as 'анекдот' (anecdote/joke), which implies a longer, structured story. Closer to 'острота', 'колкость', or 'меткое замечание'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to describe any joke (it must be clever/quick).
- Misspelling as 'quipp'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'quip'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily purely 'funny'. It is always clever and witty, which often results in amusement, but it can be sarcastic, dry, or insightful without causing loud laughter.
Yes. 'To quip' means to make a quip. It is commonly used in reported speech (e.g., 'That's one solution,' she quipped).
A joke is a broader term for anything said to provoke laughter, often with a setup and punchline. A quip is a specific type of joke: a spontaneous, concise, and clever remark, often made in response to something.
It is neither highly formal nor slang. It belongs to a standard, educated register and is common in writing (reviews, reporting) and the speech of educated speakers.