pips
word · lemma: pip
Definition
'Pips' usually means the small seeds inside fruits like apples or oranges. It can also refer to the small dots on dice and playing cards, or short beeping sounds.
Usage & Nuances
'Pips' is informal and most often used in British English for fruit seeds, while 'seed' or 'pit' is more common in American English. In games, 'pip' is a standard term for a single dot. In broadcasting, 'the pips' refers to the time signal beeps. Watch out: do not confuse 'pips' with 'pip' as a rank insignia or with the English idiom 'full of beans/pips'.
Example Sentences
Be careful not to swallow the apple pips.
natural
The time signal played its usual six pips at the top of the hour.
natural
He won the game with just one pip more than his opponent.
natural
There are so many pips in this orange!
basic
Roll the dice and count the pips to see your score.
basic
Each card has a number of pips on it.
basic