binder clip

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableAmerican

   A strong metal clip with a squeezable spring and two wire handles, used to hold papers together.

   Grammar: Countable: put a binder clip on the pages.

   Patterns

   • a binder clip on something
   • clip something with a binder clip

   She held the contract together with a large binder clip.

   I used a binder clip to keep the chip bag closed.

   The teacher gave each group a binder clip for their handouts.

2. 2nouncountableinformal

   Such a clip used for other purposes, such as holding cords or sealing a bag.

   Grammar: Common in home hacks: use a binder clip to hold a cable.

   Patterns

   • use a binder clip to do something

   He hung the cable on the desk with a binder clip.

   A binder clip kept the curtain from blowing open.

   She used a binder clip to hold the recipe card upright.

Word forms

Common combinations

large binder clip

He pinned the stack with a large binder clip.

box of binder clips

We ordered a box of binder clips for the office.

fasten with a binder clip

Fasten the pages with a binder clip.

black binder clip

A black binder clip held the receipts.

remove the binder clip

Remove the binder clip before scanning.

Synonyms and how they differ

bulldog clip

Bulldog clip is the British name for a similar spring clip, with a flat handle rather than wire handles.

paper clip

A paper clip is a small bent wire, while a binder clip is a bigger, stronger spring clip.

staple

A staple pierces and fixes the paper, whereas a binder clip grips without damage.

Word family

binder noun

a folder for holding papers

bind verb

to tie or fasten together

clip noun

a small device for holding things

Commonly confused: binder clip or paper clip?

Practice

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