nick
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for nick, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small cut or notch in a surface, or the exact critical point or moment something happens.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use nick
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The "steal/arrest/prison" senses are informal British English and less familiar to American readers.
Etymology
From Late Middle English nik ("notch"), origin otherwise unclear; the slang meanings for stealing, arresting, and police stations developed later in British English.
Full origin of nick →Frequently asked questions
What does “nick” mean?
The word “nick” means a small cut or notch in a surface, or the exact critical point or moment something happens. In plain terms, mainly a small cut or notch, but in British slang it also covers stealing, arresting, jail, and being "in good/bad nick" (condition).
How do you pronounce “nick”?
“Nick” is pronounced nihk (/nɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “nick” in a sentence?
Here is “nick” used in a sentence: “There's a small nick in the edge of the blade.”
What part of speech is “nick”?
Depending on how it is used, “nick” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “nick” come from?
The word “nick” comes from Middle English. From Late Middle English nik ("notch"), origin otherwise unclear; the slang meanings for stealing, arresting, and police stations developed later in British English.
Is “nick” a common word?
“Nick” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nick” have?
“Nick” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small cut or notch in a surface, or the exact critical point or moment something happens.
What does 'in the nick of time' mean?
"In the nick of time" means at the very last possible moment, just before it is too late. Here "nick" is the exact critical point when something happens. If you catch a falling glass in the nick of time, you grab it a split second before it would have shattered.
What is the difference between a nick and a notch?
Both are small cuts, but a nick is usually shallow, accidental, and thin — like the mark a razor leaves. A notch tends to be a deliberate, V-shaped indentation cut into an edge, such as the notches on a measuring stick. A nick is a flaw; a notch is often made on purpose.
What are the meanings of 'nick'?
As a noun, "nick" has two main senses. The first is a small cut, chip, or notch in a surface, such as a nick in a knife blade. The second is the precise, critical moment something happens, seen in the phrase "in the nick of time." Context makes clear which is meant.
What is an example of a nick?
A tiny cut you get shaving, a small chip on the rim of a plate, or a shallow gouge in a wooden table are all nicks. The word suits minor, often accidental damage — a mark noticeable up close but not serious enough to ruin the object.