verb
pinch
pihnch
verb
1
To squeeze a bit of skin or an object tightly between the thumb and finger.
"She pinched her arm to make sure she wasn't dreaming."
2
British informal: to steal something, usually minor.
"Someone pinched my pen off the desk."
noun
1
A small amount of something, especially a powder, held between finger and thumb.
"Add a pinch of salt to the sauce before serving."
2
A difficult or tight situation, often financial.
"Rising bills have put a real pinch on the household budget."
How to Use Pinch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo squeeze tightly with the fingers, to steal something small, a tiny measured amount, or a tough financial squeeze.
Common mistake
"At a pinch" (meaning "if absolutely necessary") is a set idiom, not related to the physical action.
Common pairings
a pinch of salt
feel the pinch
pinch and steal
at a pinch
Word Forms
pinched past tense, pinches plural, pinches singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “pinch”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ her arm to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
Etymology
From Middle English pinchen, likely from Old Northern French, ultimately connected to Latin words for puncturing or striking.