What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sips
Example
She sipped her tea slowly, enjoying the warmth and flavor. [sipped: past tense]
Example
He took small sips of water to quench his thirst. [sips: noun]
nip
Example
She nipped at her wine, not wanting to get drunk too quickly. [nipped: past tense]
Example
He took a nip of whiskey to warm himself up on a cold night. [nip: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sip is more commonly used than nip in everyday language. Sip is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while nip is less common and has a more specific usage related to alcohol consumption.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sips and nip?
While sipping is typically associated with a more formal and refined tone, nipping is more casual and may have a rougher connotation due to its association with alcohol consumption.