Dip means to lower something briefly into a liquid or substance and then take it out again. When you dip a cookie into milk, you submerge it just long enough to soften it without letting it fall apart. When you dip your toes into a pool, you're testing the water temperature before diving in.

The word also describes a downward slope or a quick drop. A dip in the road might make your stomach feel funny as you drive over it. Stock prices might take a dip before rising again. When a bird glides smoothly downward, it dips through the air.

A dip can also be a thick sauce meant for dipping food into. Chips and dip, carrot sticks with ranch dip, or apple slices with caramel dip all work the same way: you plunge the food partway in, coating it with flavor.

The phrase “take a dip” means to go swimming, usually quickly. After a hot soccer game, you might take a dip in the pool to cool off. In all these uses, dip suggests something temporary or partial rather than complete immersion or a permanent drop.