fillip

/ˈfɪlɪp/

//ˈfɪlɪp// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"fillip" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“fillip” is an uncommon English word, ranked #95,971 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#95,971
frequency rank, English
6
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The action of holding the tip of a finger against the thumb and then releasing it with a snap; a flick.

Key facts for fillip
PropertyValue
Headwordfillip
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈfɪlɪp/
Letters6
Frequency rank#95,971
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “fillip” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). fillip lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for fillip is 6 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈfɪlɪp/. Corpus data places it at rank #95,971 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 4 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for fillip, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English filippen, philippe (“to flick or snap a finger from against the thumb”); further origin uncertain, but probably imitative. See flip. It is not clear whether the verb is derived from the noun, or vice versa. The correct English form is fillip, spelled F-I-L-L-I-P.

Definition

  1. 1
    The action of holding the tip of a finger against the thumb and then releasing it with a snap; a flick.
  2. 2
    A sharp strike or tap made using this action, or (by extension) by other means.
  3. 3
    Something unimportant, a trifle; also, the brief time it takes to flick one's finger (see noun sense 1); a jiffy.
  4. 4
    Something that excites or stimulates.

Etymology

From Middle English filippen, philippe (“to flick or snap a finger from against the thumb”); further origin uncertain, but probably imitative. See flip. It is not clear whether the verb is derived from the noun, or vice versa.

This word in other languages

chiquenaude(Français)Schnalzen(Deutsch)piparote(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "fillip"?
"fillip" is spelled F-I-L-L-I-P. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈfɪlɪp/.
What does "fillip" mean?
As a noun, "fillip" means: The action of holding the tip of a finger against the thumb and then releasing it with a snap; a flick.
How do you pronounce "fillip"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "fillip" is /ˈfɪlɪp/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "fillip"?
From Middle English filippen, philippe (“to flick or snap a finger from against the thumb”); further origin uncertain, but probably imitative. See flip. It is not clear whether the verb is derived from the noun, or vice versa. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “fillip”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is F-I-L-L-I-P - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈfɪlɪp/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list