Hip Meaning

UK /hɪp/
US /hɪp/
Word Definition
hip meaning

Hip Definition & Usage

adjective

Cool, trendy, or fashionable, typically used to describe a person, style, or cultural trend that is current and appealing to a youthful or modern audience.

Examples

  • "Everyone at the party was dressed so hip, I felt totally out of place."
  • "That new music video is really hip; I can't stop watching it."
  • "She has a hip style that’s always on trend."
  • "He’s really into all the hip new restaurants in town."
  • "The band's music is so hip, it feels like they’re ahead of their time."
noun

The area on either side of the body, below the waist and above the thigh, which includes the pelvis and the top of the femur.

Examples

  • "She felt a sharp pain in her hip after running for hours."
  • "He twisted his hip during the yoga session and had to stop."
  • "The doctor recommended exercises to strengthen her hips after surgery."
  • "I hurt my hip while playing soccer last weekend."
  • "A child’s hip bones are still developing, so care should be taken during physical activities."
verb

To be aware of or knowledgeable about something, especially a trend or cultural phenomenon.

Examples

  • "He really hips me to all the latest tech gadgets."
  • "She’s always hip to the best new movies."
  • "Do you hip me to what’s going on at the party tonight?"
  • "I’m trying to hip myself to all the new social media trends."
  • "He tried to hip me to the underground music scene in the city."

Cultural Context

The term 'hip' has its roots in the African American Vernacular English (AAVE), dating back to the 19th century. It became widely popular in the 1940s, particularly within the jazz and beatnik cultures, and later evolved as a key term in the counterculture of the 1960s. It originally referred to someone who was in-the-know or stylish. Over time, the meaning expanded to encompass an overall sense of being cool and trendy.

The Hip Adventures of Jimmy and Zoe

Story

The Hip Adventures of Jimmy and Zoe

Jimmy and Zoe had always considered themselves 'hip'. From their outfits to their music taste, they were the ones who set the trends at school. One Friday afternoon, they strolled into their favorite café, where the barista, a hipster named Sam, nodded approvingly at their newest shoes—vintage 90s sneakers that no one else had yet caught onto. 'You guys are definitely ahead of the curve,' Sam said, pouring their iced coffees.

The Hip Adventures of Jimmy and Zoe