nickname

1 of 2

noun

nick·name ˈnik-ˌnām How to pronounce nickname (audio)

: a usually descriptive name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to a person, place, or thing

: a familiar form of a proper name (as of a person or a city)

nickname

2 of 2

verb

nicknamed; nicknaming; nicknames

transitive verb

: misname, miscall

: to give a nickname to

nicknamer noun

Did you know?

History of Nickname

It might look like nickname is a compound noun formed by adding nick and name together, but the actual history of this word is a bit more complicated. It was formed by metanalysis, or the changing of the division of words based upon how they sound together. In this case, the Middle English word eke, meaning “also” or “in addition,” was joined with name to form ekename—literally, “also-name,” used for a secondary or unofficial name in the late Middle Ages. Over time, an ekename became a nickname presumably because eke had become less familiar as a word. Needless to say, nick in this case doesn’t mean “also” or anything else, it just represents a comfortable and familiar alternative to the word’s original spelling.

Example Sentences

Noun His mother gave him the nickname “Winky” when he was a baby. Earvin “Magic” Johnson got his nickname from the way he handled a basketball.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In an interview with Vulture, Javon explained the background of his nickname.

Stacey Grant, Seventeen, 15 Sep. 2022 If Nebraska sells its soul to hire Meyer, the school should just change its nickname to the Scornhuskers.

Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 His net worth, like his nickname, is obscure but immense.

Ron Charles, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2022 Juicy, crunchy, and among the more sweet apples, Mutsus are also known by their apt nickname of Crispin.

Julie Harans, Bon Appétit, 13 Sep. 2022 Harry and Meghan named their daughter Lilibet after the Queen, choosing her nickname for their baby girl's first name.

Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 8 Sep. 2022 Bridges’ car is registered in Georgia, where his brother lives, and his license plate — Ballhawk — is a reference to his nickname.

oregonlive, 2 Sep. 2022 The man — got his nickname from his apparent habit of digging deep holes — is believed to have died at age 60 of natural causes, the BBC and The Guardian reported.

Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 He was given his nickname for his habit of constructing deep holes to trap animals and to hide in, the group said.

Camilo Rocha, CNN, 28 Aug. 2022

Verb

If Malone is successful, the clamor to nickname that five-man unit will dissipate.

Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Apr. 2022 Your cellmates got word of your crime, and nickname you the Autumn Reaper.

Colin Nissan, The New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2021 The hurler, nicknamed Thor, has been among the top pitchers in the Mets’ starting rotation and in baseball.

Fox News, 26 May 2020 After his haul is loaded onto the boat, Parker stays overnight with the merchandise, then returns home on the high tide the next morning to restock the shelves in his store, nicknamed ToshCo, with up to $20,000 worth of products.

Cathy Free, Anchorage Daily News, 20 May 2020 Rabbit images appear throughout the bar’s exterior and interior; customers are playfully nicknamed conejitos (little rabbits).

Eric Velasco, al, 12 May 2020 This started dawning on people after the California Employment Development Department began processing applications for pandemic benefits, nicknamed PUA, on Tuesday.

Kathleen Pender, SFChronicle.com, 2 May 2020 English joined Nelson’s band, nicknamed the Family, in 1966 and continued with him for most of his long career.

Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2020 As the world was slowly starting to come to terms with our new stay-at-home mandate, the beloved DJ curated a party for thousands of people right in their living room, which was also nicknamed Club Quarantine.

Nandi Howard, Essence, 6 Apr. 2020 See More

单词	nicknaming
释义	nickname 1 of 2 noun nick·name ˈnik-ˌnām 1 : a usually descriptive name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to a person, place, or thing 2 : a familiar form of a proper name (as of a person or a city) nickname 2 of 2 verb nicknamed; nicknaming; nicknames transitive verb 1 : misname, miscall 2 : to give a nickname to nicknamer noun Did you know? History of Nickname It might look like nickname is a compound noun formed by adding nick and name together, but the actual history of this word is a bit more complicated. It was formed by metanalysis, or the changing of the division of words based upon how they sound together. In this case, the Middle English word eke, meaning “also” or “in addition,” was joined with name to form ekename—literally, “also-name,” used for a secondary or unofficial name in the late Middle Ages. Over time, an ekename became a nickname presumably because eke had become less familiar as a word. Needless to say, nick in this case doesn’t mean “also” or anything else, it just represents a comfortable and familiar alternative to the word’s original spelling. Synonyms Noun alias byname cognomen epithet handle moniker monicker sobriquet soubriquet surname See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun His mother gave him the nickname “Winky” when he was a baby. Earvin “Magic” Johnson got his nickname from the way he handled a basketball. Recent Examples on the Web Noun In an interview with Vulture, Javon explained the background of his nickname. Stacey Grant, Seventeen, 15 Sep. 2022 If Nebraska sells its soul to hire Meyer, the school should just change its nickname to the Scornhuskers. Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 His net worth, like his nickname, is obscure but immense. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2022 Juicy, crunchy, and among the more sweet apples, Mutsus are also known by their apt nickname of Crispin. Julie Harans, Bon Appétit, 13 Sep. 2022 Harry and Meghan named their daughter Lilibet after the Queen, choosing her nickname for their baby girl's first name. Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 8 Sep. 2022 Bridges’ car is registered in Georgia, where his brother lives, and his license plate — Ballhawk — is a reference to his nickname. oregonlive, 2 Sep. 2022 The man — got his nickname from his apparent habit of digging deep holes — is believed to have died at age 60 of natural causes, the BBC and The Guardian reported. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 He was given his nickname for his habit of constructing deep holes to trap animals and to hide in, the group said. Camilo Rocha, CNN, 28 Aug. 2022 Verb If Malone is successful, the clamor to nickname that five-man unit will dissipate. Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Apr. 2022 Your cellmates got word of your crime, and nickname you the Autumn Reaper. Colin Nissan, The New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2021 The hurler, nicknamed Thor, has been among the top pitchers in the Mets’ starting rotation and in baseball. Fox News, 26 May 2020 After his haul is loaded onto the boat, Parker stays overnight with the merchandise, then returns home on the high tide the next morning to restock the shelves in his store, nicknamed ToshCo, with up to $20,000 worth of products. Cathy Free, Anchorage Daily News, 20 May 2020 Rabbit images appear throughout the bar’s exterior and interior; customers are playfully nicknamed conejitos (little rabbits). Eric Velasco, al, 12 May 2020 This started dawning on people after the California Employment Development Department began processing applications for pandemic benefits, nicknamed PUA, on Tuesday. Kathleen Pender, SFChronicle.com, 2 May 2020 English joined Nelson’s band, nicknamed the Family, in 1966 and continued with him for most of his long career. Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2020 As the world was slowly starting to come to terms with our new stay-at-home mandate, the beloved DJ curated a party for thousands of people right in their living room, which was also nicknamed Club Quarantine. Nandi Howard, Essence, 6 Apr. 2020 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English nekename additional name, alteration (resulting from misdivision of an ekename) of ekename, from eke eke, also + name name First Known Use Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb 1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition nickname 1 of 2 noun nick·name ˈnik-ˌnām 1 : a usually descriptive name used in addition to a person's given name My brother had the nickname "Nosy." 2 : a familiar form of a proper name "Bill" and "Willie" are nicknames for "William." nickname 2 of 2 verb nicknamed; nicknaming : to give a usually descriptive name to that is additional to a given name nicknaming verb present participle of nickname as in renaming Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance renaming misnaming rechristening code-naming miscalling relabeling specifying denoting naming mistitling relabelling terming stigmatizing dubbing tagging designating nominating branding titling labeling entitling calling denominating styling surnaming baptizing christening labelling cleping baptising
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nickname

noun

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

verb

verb