dip

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'dip' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb when it means "to plunge briefly into a liquid or something that resembles a liquid." For example, "The children dipped their toes in the pool to test the water temperature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Upstream capital spending edged lower last year, falling to $147.4bn as companies reacted to the surprise fall in the oil price, the first dip in upstream investments in at least nine years.

The Guardian

A 0.9% rise in house prices during the month followed a 0.8% dip in March, and took the average price of a home in England and Wales to £179,817.

The Guardian - Money

4 Serve with some mango chutney or a cooling, sour cream dip to combat the heat of the jerk seasoning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dress code is informal: street clothes, swimwear, underclothes, collar and tie, religious robes... Girls squat down to urinate wherever there is a dip in the sand – there are no toilet facilities.

The Guardian - Travel

It would allow people to dip into each other's hard drives, and share their MP3 music files.

The Guardian - Music

You dip urine, take bloods, but something is not right.

The Guardian

That's the biggest annual dip since tracking began in 1991.

The Guardian - Film

I visit the El Tatio geysers, a sunrise spectacle of erupting water, steam and hot volcanic mud, and take a dip in the thermal pools.

The Guardian - Travel

BSkyB, under threat from UK rivals and US firms such as Netflix and Amazon, has targeted cheaper customers looking to "dip" into pay-TV with cheaper options it offers through its Now TV offering.

The Guardian - Business

The AKP has dominated Turkish politics since it first came to power in 2002, but has suffered from a dip in economic growth and controversy over Erdoğan's perceived authoritarian tendencies.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Tucked between mega-villas in a gated community just above Valdevaqueros beach, the diminutive house is fresh and contemporary inside, with big sliding glass doors on to a wraparound terrace and a dip-in, leap-out unheated pool.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dip" in the context of cooking, ensure the viscosity of the substance allows for a good coating without being too heavy.

Common error

Avoid using "dip" as a universal substitute for more specific verbs like "soak" or "marinate" when a longer immersion time is intended. "Dip" implies a brief, often superficial, submersion.

Linguistic Context

The word "dip" primarily functions as a verb, describing the act of briefly immersing something into a liquid or substance. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in various contexts, from cooking to economics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Lifestyle

15%

Travel

9%

Less common in

Business

7%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "dip" is a very common and versatile verb, primarily used to describe the act of briefly immersing something. Ludwig highlights its grammatical correctness and its presence across various contexts, including News & Media, Lifestyle, and Travel. The word's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Furthermore, Ludwig AI confirms that "dip" is correct and usable in written English. By considering its best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively incorporate "dip" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immerse briefly

Focuses on the action of submerging something for a short period.

plunge quickly

Emphasizes the speed and force of the dipping action.

dunk lightly

Suggests a gentle and brief immersion.

submerge momentarily

Highlights the temporary nature of the submersion.

lower briefly

Focuses on the act of reducing the height or level for a short time.

take a quick plunge

Implies a rapid and decisive entry into a liquid.

descend slightly

Indicates a minor downward movement or decline.

decrease temporarily

Emphasizes that the reduction is not permanent.

incline downwards

Suggests a slanting or sloping direction.

touch briefly

Focuses on the short contact with a liquid or substance.

FAQs

How can I use "dip" in a sentence?

You can use "dip" to describe the action of briefly immersing something in a liquid, as in "I like to "dip" my cookies in milk."

What are some synonyms for "dip"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "dip" include "immerse", "plunge", "dunk", or "submerge".

Is it correct to say "dip into"?

Yes, "dip into" is a common phrasal verb that can mean to take a small amount from something, like "I "dipped" into my savings to pay for the repairs."

What is the difference between "dip" and "dive"?

"Dip" generally refers to a quick, shallow submersion, while "dive" implies a deeper, more intentional entry into water or another substance.