quip

[ kwip ]

noun

1. a clever or witty remark or comment.

   Synonyms: witticism, joke

2. a sharp, sarcastic remark; a cutting jest.

   Synonyms: jape, sally, gibe

3. a quibble.
4. an odd or fantastic action or thing.

verb (used without object)

, quipped, quip·ping.

1. to utter quips.

quip

/ kwɪp /

noun

1. a sarcastic or cutting remark; gibe
2. a witty or clever saying

   a merry quip

3. archaic.
   another word for quibble

verb

1. intr to make a quip

Other Words From

• quippish adjective
• quippish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of quip¹

1525–35; back formation from quippy quip < Latin quippe indeed

Word History and Origins

Origin of quip¹

C16: from earlier quippy, probably from Latin quippe indeed, to be sure

Example Sentences

He has a certain Amelia Bedelia quality in which he takes every sarcastic quip of Jack’s literally, his reactions played for laughs that fall totally flat.

From Los Angeles Times

Johnny Carson was so popular during his heyday that a late-night quip about a toilet paper shortage caused a run on the product at grocery stores across the country in 1973, nearly a half-century before widespread pandemic hoarding of that important bathroom product.

From Los Angeles Times

He knows that the outrageous quip is entertaining and that the visually dominant media will race to it to enhance ratings.

From Salon

Gaffigan's quip referenced the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape in which Trump boasted to host Billy Bush about sexually assaulting models, saying he could “grab em’ by the p***y” without consequences.

From Salon

His quip that he was about “results, not ideology“ was clever.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• banter
• gag
• gibe
• pleasantry
• pun
• repartee
• retort
• satire
• wisecrack
• witticism