hip

1 of 6

noun (1)

1
a
: the laterally projecting region of each side of the lower or posterior part of the mammalian trunk formed by the lateral parts of the pelvis and upper part of the femur together with the fleshy parts covering them
b
2
: the external angle formed by the meeting of two sloping sides of a roof that have their wall plates running in different directions

hip

2 of 6

adjective

hipper; hippest
1
a
: having or showing awareness of or involvement in the newest developments or styles
b
: very fashionable : trendy
2
: aware or appreciative of something
used with to
got hip to their plan
hiply adverb

hip

3 of 6

interjection

used in a cheer
hip hip hooray

hip

4 of 6

noun (2)

hip

5 of 6

verb

hipped; hipping

transitive verb

: to make aware : tell, inform

hip

6 of 6

noun (3)

Examples of hip in a Sentence

Adjective He tried to learn about the latest bands so he could impress his hip new college friends. She knows how to get into all of the hippest clubs and restaurants. Verb if you want to get hipped on what goes on behind the scenes at a television network, you should read this book Noun (3) kids dyeing their hair in pursuit of hip
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
When we are seated for long periods of time, our body begins to adapt to that position, tightening the hip flexors. Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024 Bosa confirmed Wednesday that playing through a hip injury last game was the toughest pain he’s endured in 5 1/2 seasons. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
It was seen as the hipper, edgier alternative to entrenched establishment clubs like Annabel’s and White’s. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 These looks feel decidedly cooler and hipper than your standard suit, which can often read too buttoned-up or formal for a more casual outing. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2023
Verb
Join a celebration of family and community, enjoy a mix of brews and arts, go to a country music concert, attend a party that supports education or watch a science fiction film set to hip hop beats. John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2024 As Utah embraces the ways of the surfer, the color palette moves from grayish to yellowish, and then, when Bodhi hips him to skydiving, from yellowish to cloudless blue. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hip 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English hype; akin to Old High German huf hip

Adjective

alteration of hep entry 2

Interjection

origin unknown

Noun (2)

Middle English hipe, from Old English hēope; akin to Old High German hiafo hip

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Interjection

1811, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1932, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hip was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hip

Cite this Entry

“Hip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hip. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hip

1 of 3 noun

hip

2 of 3 noun
: the part of the body that curves outward below the waist on each side and is formed by the side part of the pelvis and the upper part of the thigh
hipped
ˈhipt
adjective

hip

3 of 3 adjective
hipper; hippest
1
: keenly aware of or interested in the newest developments
2
Etymology

Noun

Old English hēope "fruit of a rose"

Noun

Old English hype "hip of the body"

Adjective

an altered form of hep "keenly aware of and interested in the newest developments"; of unknown origin

Medical Definition

hip

noun
1
: the laterally projecting region of each side of the lower or posterior part of the mammalian trunk formed by the lateral parts of the pelvis and upper part of the femur together with the fleshy parts covering them
2

More from Merriam-Webster on hip

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!