verb
nim
nihm
Nim (verb) means to take or steal something quickly and quietly. Example: “He nimmed an apple from the market stall.”
verb
1
To take or steal something quickly and quietly.
"He nimmed an apple from the market stall."
noun
1
A simple strategy game where players alternately remove objects from piles, with the goal of forcing the opponent to take the last one (or avoid it, depending on the rules).
"They passed the time on the train playing Nim with matchsticks."
How to use nim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old word for stealing/taking, and also the name of a classic pile-based counting game.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- nims
- Past tense
- nam, nimmed, num
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They passed the time on the train playing _____ with matchsticks.
Etymology
From Old English niman, "to take" — the same ancient root that gives us "nimble" and "numb."
Frequently asked questions
What does “nim” mean?
The word “nim” means to take or steal something quickly and quietly. In plain terms, an old word for stealing/taking, and also the name of a classic pile-based counting game.
How do you pronounce “nim”?
“Nim” is pronounced nihm (/nɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “nim” in a sentence?
Here is “nim” used in a sentence: “He nimmed an apple from the market stall.”
What part of speech is “nim”?
Depending on how it is used, “nim” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “nim” come from?
The word “nim” comes from Old English. From Old English niman, "to take" — the same ancient root that gives us "nimble" and "numb.".
How many meanings does “nim” have?
“Nim” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take or steal something quickly and quietly.
