cinch

1 of 2

noun

ˈsinch 

1

: a strap that holds a saddle on a horse

2

: a tight grip

3

a

: a thing done with ease

Getting reelected would be a cinch for him.

b

: a certainty to happen

it's a cinch he'll break the record

cinch

2 of 2

verb

cinched; cinching; cinches

transitive verb

1

a

: to put a cinch on

cinch a horse

b

: to fasten (something, such as a belt or strap) tightly

He cinched his belt tight.

2

: to make certain : assure

the goal that cinched the victory

intransitive verb

: to tighten the cinch

—often used with up

cinched up before mounting his horse

Synonyms

Noun

• breeze
• cake
• cakewalk
• child's play
• cream puff
• duck soup
• kid stuff
• picnic
• pushover
• roses
• snap

Verb

• assure
• ensure
• guarantee
• guaranty
• ice
• insure
• secure

Examples of cinch in a Sentence

Noun

This recipe is a cinch.

This dish is a cinch to make.

Verb

The coat is cinched at the waist.

The rider cinched the saddle.

The candidate cinched the nomination by winning the major primary elections.

The home run cinched the victory.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Reviewers are torn: some say the skirt barely wrinkles; others swear the wrinkles are a cinch to get out. —Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2024

Parents will also appreciate features like the removable, washable HEPA filter and anti-static brush head, which is removable and a cinch to clean. —Amy Gordon, Parents, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Spanish cincha, from Latin cingula girdle, girth, from cingere — more at cincture

First Known Use

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1866, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

cinch

1 of 2 noun

ˈsinch 

1

: a strong girth for a pack or saddle

2

: an easy thing to do

3

: something sure to happen

cinch

2 of 2 verb

1

: to put a cinch on

2

: to make certain

the goal that cinched the victory