nickname
NIHK-naym
Nickname (noun) means an informal, often affectionate or descriptive name used instead of someone's real name. Example: “Everyone at the club uses her nickname instead of her full name.”
noun
1
An informal, often affectionate or descriptive name used instead of someone's real name.
"Everyone at the club uses her nickname instead of her full name."
"Jonathan's nickname is Jonno, and even his teachers call him that."
"His nickname at school was "Ginger" because of his hair."
verb
1
To give someone or something a nickname.
"The kids nickname every teacher in the first week of term."
"My brother nicknamed our cat Biscuit because of her colour."
"They nicknamed the old car "the Beast"."
How to use nickname
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual alternative name for someone or something, usually based on a trait or joke.
Memory tip
The word itself is a fun example of a "misdivision" — the n originally belonged to the word before it, not to "name".
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
go by the nickname
earn a nickname
nicknamed after
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Word forms
- Plural
- nicknames
- Third person singular
- nicknames
- Past tense
- nicknamed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Everyone at the club uses her _____ instead of her full name.
Etymology
From Middle English an ekename ("an additional name"), which was misheard and re-divided as "a nekename" — the same kind of slip that gave us "an apron" from "a napron".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for nickname
See all rhymes for nickname →Frequently asked questions
What does “nickname” mean?
The word “nickname” means an informal, often affectionate or descriptive name used instead of someone's real name. In plain terms, a casual alternative name for someone or something, usually based on a trait or joke.
How do you pronounce “nickname”?
“Nickname” is pronounced NIHK-naym (/ˈnɪkneɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “nickname” in a sentence?
Here is “nickname” used in a sentence: “His nickname at school was "Ginger" because of his hair.”
What is another word for “nickname”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nickname” include byname, moniker, nick, to-name, sobriquet and handle.
What part of speech is “nickname”?
Depending on how it is used, “nickname” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “nickname” come from?
The word “nickname” comes from Middle English. From Middle English an ekename ("an additional name"), which was misheard and re-divided as "a nekename" — the same kind of slip that gave us "an apron" from "a napron".
Is “nickname” a common word?
“Nickname” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “nickname” have?
“Nickname” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal, often affectionate or descriptive name used instead of someone's real name.
What is the difference between a nickname and a pseudonym?
A "nickname" is an informal name used alongside someone's real name, often affectionate or descriptive. A "pseudonym" is a false name chosen to conceal a person's true identity, such as a pen name used by an author. A nickname adds to the real name, while a pseudonym replaces and hides it.
What is the difference between a nickname and a surname?
A "surname" is a person's official family name, shared with relatives and used in legal records. A "nickname" is an informal, unofficial name used instead of a real name. A surname is fixed and formal, whereas a nickname is casual and often given by others.
What is the difference between a nickname and a pet name?
Both are affectionate, informal names, but a "pet name" is usually private and used between close friends, family, or partners. A "nickname" is broader and may be used publicly, including by acquaintances or the wider community.
Example sentences
Sentences with a source are quoted from published work. Any opinions in them are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Her nickname for the twins was "the twins," which annoyed them for years.
The team nicknamed the new printer "the beast" after it jammed for the third time.
He never liked his nickname enough to put it on a name tag.
The city's nickname, "the Big Smoke," dates back to its coal-burning years.
Everyone at work still calls him by the nickname he got in his first week.
A name with built-in nicknames gives your child room to grow — something formal for the birth certificate and the CV, something softer for every day, and the freedom to choose between them later.
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