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

There are two Hall of Famers and another cinch to join her in the coming years; several All-Stars as well as a number of players who made an impact for short stints or simply stopped by for a cup of coffee. — From Staff Reports, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Both vessels are equipped with the latest marine tech, with twin Simrad displays making captaining a cinch. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

The rest of Lopez’s look included a matching long-sleeve brown top and pencil skirt cinched with a belt. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

The couple wore matching suites, with Cameron’s cinched at the waist, featuring a white tie and draping cape, while David accessorized his ivory look with a silk scarf. — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 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