nick 1 of 2

noun

ˈnik How to pronounce nick (audio)
Definition of nicknext
1
as in chip
a V-shaped cut usually on an edge or a surface I made a nick in the frame when I accidentally dropped it

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2
as in jail
British slang a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody the blokes at the pub traded stories of nights spent in the nick after having lifted too many pints

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3
as in shape
British a state of being or fitness the princess is in excellent nick these days

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nick

2 of 2

verb

British slang
1
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep that lorry was a piece of rubbish, I don't know why anyone would want to nick it

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2
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law a petty thief who was always getting nicked for picking the pockets of tourists outside Buckingham Palace

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nick
Noun
William was different: schooled in the role of Youri Tielemans which helped Villa nick a 2-2 draw at Arsenal on Saturday, clued up on double midfield pivots and versed in the web of profit and sustainability (PSR). — Phil Hay, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 If shaving, wash the area with antibacterial soap first, apply a protective gel, and shave carefully to avoid nicks and cuts that can lead to new lesions or infections. — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
One man was struck in his shoulder and the other was grazed by a bullet that nicked his arm. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025 One day a few years ago, a DNR crew was grading the trail and their blade nicked a shallow pipe, which burst forth with water. — John Carlisle, Detroit Free Press, 13 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nick
  1. chip
  2. jail
  3. shape
  4. steal
  5. arrest
  6. slit
  7. prison
  8. condition
Noun
  • The 32nd anniversary event featured Irish cuisine favorites like fish and chips, beer burgers, and JohnMartin’s signature Irish BBQ wings.
    — Sam Navarro, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Still, the bar is high for Nvidia to impress investors who will want confirmation that the chipmaker can continue to release new chips, at a faster pace than in the past.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of chip
Noun
  • Two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • As Ortega is held at a Rikers Island jail pending his next court appearance, police are still working to track down his machete-wielding partner in crime and are asking for the public’s help in identifying him.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of jail
Noun
  • Jillian Michaels shares easy way for people to start fitness journeys Fitness expert Jillian Michael shares the one simple workout that can help Americans get in shape and extend their lifespan by up to seven years.
    — Ashley J. DiMella Fox News, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • After close to a year away from the game recovering from left ankle surgery, the only way to get in game shape is to play in NBA games.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of shape
Verb
  • She was accused of drugging both men in their hotel rooms and stealing from them, but the charges were dismissed because the victims did not want to testify in court, Colbert's attorney for those cases, Daniel Lippmann, told The Associated Press.
    — Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The Bucs need more daredevil defenders who can wheel and steal the football.
    — Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of steal
Verb
  • The 39-year-old rapper, whose legal name is Johnny Reed McKinzie, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department at 5:20 p.m. in the 13000 block of East 115th Street, according to a department spokesperson.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
  • This student was also arrested by local law enforcement last April while participating in a pro-Palestine protest.
    — Brittany Gibson, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of arrest
Noun
  • The look featured a strapless black dress with a thigh-high slit.
    — Julia Teti, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Remember when Angelina Jolie went viral for her leg-bearing slit at the 2012 Oscars?
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of slit
Noun
  • Three days later, his immigration attorney was able to reach an ICE official who confirmed that his client was in a prison in another country.
    — Brian Bennett, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
  • One of the five men convicted in the 2022 drugging and robbery of patrons at gay bars in Manhattan was slapped with eight years in prison on Thursday.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of prison
Noun
  • Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders via social media that included homes, hotels and a Walmart. Jennifer Thompson, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Norman, described the fire conditions in the central and northern parts of the state as historic and highly anomalous.
    — Sean Murphy and Russ Bynum, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The director of the F1 movie, Joseph Kosinski, has revealed the one condition Lewis Hamilton had going into its production.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of condition

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Cite this Entry

“Nick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nick. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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