VIP

American  

[vee-ahy-pee] / ˈviˈaɪˈpi /

Or V.I.P.

Informal.

1. very important person.

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VIP British  

abbreviation

1. very important person

2. visually impaired person

3. vasoactive intestinal peptide: a polypeptide secreted by the small intestine during digestion and also found in the brain as a neurotransmitter: large amounts in the blood cause diarrhoea

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VIP Cultural  

1. An abbreviation for “V ery I mportant P erson”: “The luncheon will be exclusive, with VIPs only.”

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Usage

What does VIP mean? VIP (or V. I. P.) is an abbreviation of very important person. VIP is an informal way to refer to someone who is notable in some way and is given special treatment in a particular setting. It is also used to describe things involving special access for such people, as in phrases like VIP treatment or VIP pass. The plural of VIP is VIPs. Example: The hotel provides additional security for the rooms reserved by VIPs like heads of state.

Etymology

Origin of VIP

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Two listings on StubHub.co.uk offered pairs of VIP tickets, normally £109 each, for £421 and £530, while Viagogo carried a listing for a £45 general admission ticket inflated to £363.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

I have free VIP for life — I won Carpoolchella in 2008 when Prince played.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Guests are paying up to A$3,199 to attend a "girls' weekend", with a VIP package including the opportunity to get a group table photograph with Meghan.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

"As she told one customer in 2020, 'I'm really select with people,' and 'it's a very VIP circle of celebs.'"

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

From the VIP observation room, Teddy watched the despondent Mission Control Center.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir