Clip: meaning, definitions and examples

Can also mean to cut or trim something, often used with hair or nails.

• She clipped her nails before the interview.
• He had his hair clipped at the barber shop.

This is a general term for devices that secure or close objects, such as zippers, buttons, or screws.

• The jacket has a zipper fastener.
• Make sure the fasteners on the box are secure.

Use when referring to a tool or device that holds objects tightly together, often used in woodworking or metalworking.

• He used a clamp to hold the wood pieces together while the glue dried.
• The mechanic clamped the hose to prevent leaks.

Use when referring to a small pin or bolt used to secure or hang items, often found in pegboards or clothing lines.

• She hung her coat on the peg by the door.
• He used pegs to secure the tent to the ground.

Appropriate for informal contexts, often used for parts of multimedia like video or audio.

• I watched a funny clip on YouTube.
• Here is a clip from the latest episode of the TV show.

Often used in technical, formal or analytical contexts, refers to a distinct part of a whole, like in media, programming, or processes.

• The marketing segment of the meeting starts at 10 AM.
• This segment of the software needs improvement.

Commonly used in informal or technical contexts to describe a small piece of information or a brief excerpt.

• I read a small snippet of the article online.
• Here’s a code snippet that shows you how to solve that problem.

Best used in educational, formal, or technical contexts, typically refers to a passage from a text or an important part of a larger body of work.

• The professor read an extract from the novel.
• They published an extract from her interview in the magazine.

Best used when you want to quickly connect or hold something in place using a small device like a paperclip or hair clip.

• She used a paperclip to hold the papers together.
• He clipped the microphone to his shirt.

Appropriate when you are making sure that something is securely closed or connected, often used with items like seat belts, buttons, or zippers.

• Make sure to fasten your seatbelt.
• She fastened the buttons on her coat.

Used when you are connecting one thing to another more permanently or securely. Often used in more formal or technical contexts.

• Please attach the document to your email.
• He attached the name tag to his backpack.

Used when you want to ensure something is safely in place or protected. Often implies a stronger or more dependable connection.

• He secured the boat to the dock.
• She secured the windows before the storm.