paper clip

¹

noun

1. a flat wire or plastic clip shaped so that it can hold sheets of paper between two of its loops.
2. a spring clamp for holding papers.

paper-clip

²

[ pey-per-klip ]

verb (used with object)

, pa·per-clipped, pa·per-clip·ping.

1. to fasten together with one or more paper clips:

   Paper-clip these letters and file them.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paper clip¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Origin of paper clip²

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Inside was about $70 held by a paper clip, various cards, and a piece of paper cracking at the folds.

From The Daily Beast

In the shower, he found two potato chips and a paper clip stuck in his hair.

From Project Gutenberg

Would you note the particular pages and put a paper clip on them, please?

From Project Gutenberg

It would only start the subject wondering about the relationship of the paper clip to hypnosis.

From Project Gutenberg

The crease in a soft hat can be kept in proper shape with the aid of a paper clip.

From Project Gutenberg

You could sit down and twist a paper clip out of a hunk of soft wire, couldn't you?

From Project Gutenberg