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

“My joke is that in four short weeks I’ve gone from a Virgo to a Cancer,” he quipped.

From Los Angeles Times

“Yeah, it was pretty good because it was my economy!” as Barack Obama recently quipped.

From Salon

“I liked it on the Raiders,” Robinson quipped, “but I really missed the horse.”

From Los Angeles Times

He’s friendly, he’s got his go-to series of quips and he’s always revising his material.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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