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 of cinch

Noun

• breeze
• picnic

Verb

• ensure
• assure
• guarantee

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

Democrats appear a cinch to win control of the House, but the Senate remains a toss-up. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

As much as the Brewers now seem like a cinch to win their first title in the most expedient fashion available to them (Milwaukee enters Game 4 as -125 favorites), there’s always a chance the 2026 Rays may live to see another day. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Verb

Officers cinched a plastic zip-tie around her wrists and led her away. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Mercato tote bag Inspired by a spacious shopper, this leather tote can be worn with the sides cinched or open. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for cinch

• finch
• flinch
• inch
• lynch
• pinch
• synch
• winch
• bullfinch
• goldfinch

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