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

As Fintan O'Toole quipped recently in the Irish Times, his country "found the crock of gold at the end of the rainbow without even trying to catch the leprechaun."

From Salon

And while many will remember Griffiths for his on-air quips and, earlier, his cautious style of play, he also achieved notable success as a coach after retiring in 1997.

From BBC

“Well, it took you long enough!” he quipped.

From Los Angeles Times

“Never judge a book by its contents,” quipped a wag in a porkpie hat as we both regarded the cover of an aging paperback guide to vitamins, for sale on a Broadway sidewalk.

From New York Times

“I’m still getting a good amount of sleep,” quipped the notoriously early riser.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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