hip

1 of 6

noun (1)

ˈhip 

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

: hip joint

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)

: rose hip

hip

5 of 6

verb

hipped; hipping

transitive verb

: to make aware : tell, inform

hip

6 of 6

noun (3)

: hipness

Synonyms

Adjective

• à la mode
• a la mode
• au courant
• chic
• cool [slang]
• exclusive
• fashionable
• fresh [slang]
• happening
• in
• modish
• sharp
• smart
• snappy
• stylish
• supercool
• swell
• swish
• trendy
• voguish

Verb

• acquaint
• advise
• apprise
• brief
• catch up
• clear
• clue (in)
• enlighten
• familiarize
• fill in
• inform
• instruct
• tell
• verse
• wise (up)

Noun (3)

• cool
• coolness
• fashionableness
• hipness
• hipsterism
• modishness
• stylishness
• trendiness
• voguishness

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

Noun

In his office, Posen has now pinned the denim fabric around the hips, folding each corner like origami. —Irina Aleksander, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024

There's no good reason to shoot from the hip with so much at stake. —Kristin McKenna, Forbes, 10 Dec. 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

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

Phrases Containing hip

• hip and thigh
• hip bone
• hip boot
• hip flask
• hip hop
• hip hop dance
• hip-hopper
• hip-huggers
• hip joint
• hip pointer
• hip roof
• hip-shooting
• hip to
• joined at the hip
• rose hip
• shoot from the hip

Kids Definition

hip

1 of 3 noun

ˈhip 

: rose hip

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

: wise entry 2 sense 2, alert

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

ˈhip 

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

: hip joint