Nick
/nɪk/
Definitions
3 meaningsA small cut or indentation on a surface.
/nɪk/
A small cut or notch.
He got a nick on his chin while shaving.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're using a dull knife, and it slips, leaving a tiny little scratch. That's a nick! Like when you accidentally nick your finger while peeling an apple.
👶 For kids: A tiny scratch or a little cut.
More Examples
The carpenter filled the nicks in the wood with putty.
I accidentally put a nick in my new phone case.
How It's Used
"The knife left a small nick on the wooden table."
"The surgeon accidentally made a nick in the artery."
To make a small cut or indentation in something.
/nɪk/
To make a small cut or notch.
Be careful not to nick the paint when you open the can.
💡 Simply: Picture yourself shaving, and you accidentally cut your skin just a little bit. You've 'nicked' yourself! It's a quick, small cut.
👶 For kids: To make a tiny cut or scratch on something.
More Examples
He nicked his hand with the saw.
She nicked a corner of the wrapping paper.
How It's Used
"He accidentally nicked his finger with the razor."
"Carefully nick the edges of the leather before sewing."
To steal or take something, often in a petty or surreptitious manner.
/nɪk/
To steal or take something.
He nicked some office supplies from work.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone quickly snatches something. That's 'nicking' something, especially if it wasn't theirs. Think of secretly taking something – like 'nicking' a cookie when your mom isn't looking.
👶 For kids: To take something without asking, like stealing.
More Examples
The thief nicked the woman's purse.
Don't nick my fries!
How It's Used
"He nicked a candy bar from the store."
"Someone nicked my bike last night."
Idioms & expressions
in the nick of time
Just at the last possible moment; barely in time to prevent disaster.
"The firefighters arrived in the nick of time to save the building."
a quick nick
A fast or shallow cut.
"He shaved so fast that he got a quick nick on his chin."
From Middle English *knikken*, from Old English *cniccan* ('to knock').
The word 'nick' has been used since the 14th century, originally meaning 'to cut or make a notch'. The slang usage meaning 'to steal' developed later.
Memory tip
Think of a small imperfection, like a tiny 'click' sound as you cut something.
Word Origin
"to knock, cut"