clip
/klip/
The French word clip can mean to cut with scissors or shears, or it can refer to a short video segment.
As a verb, clip means to cut, specifically using scissors or shears rather than a knife. In modern informal French, the word is also used as a noun to refer to a short video or film segment, most commonly a music video.
Meaning: to cut, especially with scissors or shears as opposed to a knife etc. (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Belgium, the term trombone may be used instead of clip.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/klip/
Did you know?
- The word clip is part of a growing category of 'anglicismes' that some French linguistic academies actively work to replace with traditional French alternatives.
- While the word clip sounds English, it is a 'pseudo-anglicism' because its meaning in French has shifted away from the original English usage.
- If you use the verb clip in France, you are using 'Franglais', a colloquial blend of French and English that is common in tech and media but avoided in traditional literature.
Examples in context
- Tu as commencé le montage du clip ?Have you started editing the clip?This sentence is useful for seeing how to use clip when discussing editing a video.Tatoeba #12034843 by samir_t, translation #12425893 by Miktsoanit
- Pouvez-vous me passer un trombone ? J'ai besoin d'attacher ces feuillesCan you pass me a paper clip? I need to attach these sheets
- Passe-moi une pince, s'il te plaît ? Je dois attacher ces papiersPass me a clip, please? I need to attach these papers
- Je vais prendre une agrafe pour ces papiersI'll take a clip for these papers
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are gardening together.
- ChloéLucas, tu peux m'aider à clip les haies ?Lucas, can you help me clip the hedges?
- LucasOui, où sont les cisailles ?Yes, where are the shears?
- ChloéElles sont sur la table là-bas.They are on the table over there.
- LucasD'accord, je vais clip ça tout de suite.Okay, I will clip that right away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry clip, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clip, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
