1
a
: a small notch, groove, or chip
For one thing, formal chairs, beds and tables require greater vigilance on the part of the owners to protect against nicks and spills.—
Sarah Collins
Sarah Collins
b
: a small cut or wound
got a few nicks from shaving
c
: a break in one strand of two-stranded DNA caused by a missing phosphodiester bond
2
: a final critical moment
in the nick of time
3
British, informal
: prison
also
: police station
… he said to me, "And how was it in the nick? Did they beat you in there at all?" —Colin MacInnes
Colin MacInnes 4
British, informal
: condition
in good nick
nicked; nicking; nicks
1
: to jot down : record
2
b
: to cut into or wound slightly
nicked himself shaving
I didn't have time to get my glove up, and the ball nicked my ear as it went past me.—Steve Wulf
Steve Wulf3
: to cut short
cold weather, which nicked steel and automobile output—Time
Time4
: to catch at the right point or time
5
: cheat, overcharge
"A cry of anguish ascended to high heavens," reported Business Week in 1933, "when millions of white-collar workers discovered that they had been nicked for a considerable percentage of their earnings when J. P. Morgan and partners had paid no income tax at all."—Cynthia Crossen
Cynthia Crossen6
a
British slang
: arrest
The new owner, my brother, had installed all the window grilles and had them wired on a direct alarm to the police station so that if anyone tried to enter that way they would be nicked.—Dick Francis
Dick Francis
b
British slang
: steal
To discover at the last moment that 24 cases of Schweppes had been nicked from the cellar was a horrible shock.—Sunday Times
Sunday Times1
: to make petty attacks : snipe
2
: to complement one another genetically and produce superior offspring
Synonyms
Examples of nick in a Sentence
Noun
There are a couple of nicks on the painting.
His face was covered with nicks and cuts after shaving.
She spent a night in the nick.
an economy in bad nick
Verb
He was nicked on the shoulder by a bullet.
She was nicked for the theft.
I nicked a couple of cars when I was younger.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebMaryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
The flexible, pivoting blades can contour to the head and neck for a close shave without worrying about any potential nicks.
—Good Housekeeping, 31 Aug. 2023
The wooden cover is blighted with nicks and scratches, so much so that the rudimentary mountain goat logo is difficult to make out.
—Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Aug. 2023
There are two lubricating strips, five blades spaced close together to help prevent nicks and a pivoting ball on the head moves along with the contours of your body and shaves hard to reach areas.
—Garrett Munce, Men's Health, 24 July 2023
Meanwhile, an additional trimmer works to feed hair into the cutter, and a skin guard protects against nicks.
—Jack Byram, Health, 5 July 2023
Keep in Mind The polycarbonate material can get nicks and scratches easily.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2023
Electric shavers have a leg up on producing a more polished top without getting any cuts, nicks, ingrown hairs or irritation, though manual razors offer a closer, smoother shave.
—Joseph Cheatham, Men's Health, 11 June 2023
Shaving cream, hair conditioner, and body wash will help the razor glide smoothly over your skin and prevent nicks, cuts, and scrapes.
—Heather L. Brannon, Md, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2023
Lisa Tozzi, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2023
To the southwest in Virginia, Charlottesville could nick 100 degrees, surpassing the record of 94.
—Matthew Cappucci, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2023
If a hitter nicks a borderline pitch to extend an at-bat, that may say more about the pitcher than the hitter.
—Zach Buchanan, New York Times, 28 July 2023
Both players were nicked up earlier this week, but participated in the walkthrough session on Wednesday.
—Calvin Watkins, Dallas News, 10 Aug. 2023
In 2011, Sweden nicked the U.S. 2-1 in Germany, in the group stage.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 3 Aug. 2023
The Sox righthander entered the sixth inning having retired seven consecutive batters before Marco Luciano, the Giants top shortstop prospect who was recently called up, scalded a single which nicked off the glove of Rafael Devers, who was playing in at third.
—Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2023
The Yankees’ Carlos Rodón — as a member of the White Sox in 2021 — lost his attempt when a slider nicked the top of a batter’s shoe in the ninth inning.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 29 June 2023
Though frequently nicked up, he’s been a more durable player than Barkley if not quite the dynamic talent.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 19 June 2023
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Noun
This can damage the blade and lead to nicks or chips.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
The flexible, pivoting blades can contour to the head and neck for a close shave without worrying about any potential nicks.
—Good Housekeeping, 31 Aug. 2023
The wooden cover is blighted with nicks and scratches, so much so that the rudimentary mountain goat logo is difficult to make out.
—Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Aug. 2023
There are two lubricating strips, five blades spaced close together to help prevent nicks and a pivoting ball on the head moves along with the contours of your body and shaves hard to reach areas.
—Garrett Munce, Men's Health, 24 July 2023
Meanwhile, an additional trimmer works to feed hair into the cutter, and a skin guard protects against nicks.
—Jack Byram, Health, 5 July 2023
Keep in Mind The polycarbonate material can get nicks and scratches easily.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2023
Electric shavers have a leg up on producing a more polished top without getting any cuts, nicks, ingrown hairs or irritation, though manual razors offer a closer, smoother shave.
—Joseph Cheatham, Men's Health, 11 June 2023
Shaving cream, hair conditioner, and body wash will help the razor glide smoothly over your skin and prevent nicks, cuts, and scrapes.
—Heather L. Brannon, Md, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2023
Verb
Wilson’s Volvo has exploded and is in flames in a motel parking lot, a Popeye and Brutus salt-and-pepper shaker purchased (or nicked) earlier is in pieces nearby.
—Lisa Tozzi, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2023
To the southwest in Virginia, Charlottesville could nick 100 degrees, surpassing the record of 94.
—Matthew Cappucci, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2023
If a hitter nicks a borderline pitch to extend an at-bat, that may say more about the pitcher than the hitter.
—Zach Buchanan, New York Times, 28 July 2023
Both players were nicked up earlier this week, but participated in the walkthrough session on Wednesday.
—Calvin Watkins, Dallas News, 10 Aug. 2023
In 2011, Sweden nicked the U.S. 2-1 in Germany, in the group stage.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 3 Aug. 2023
The Sox righthander entered the sixth inning having retired seven consecutive batters before Marco Luciano, the Giants top shortstop prospect who was recently called up, scalded a single which nicked off the glove of Rafael Devers, who was playing in at third.
—Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2023
The Yankees’ Carlos Rodón — as a member of the White Sox in 2021 — lost his attempt when a slider nicked the top of a batter’s shoe in the ninth inning.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 29 June 2023
Though frequently nicked up, he’s been a more durable player than Barkley if not quite the dynamic talent.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 19 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English nyke, probably alteration of nocke nock
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a
Time Traveler
The first known use of nick was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing nick
Dictionary Entries Near nick
Cite this Entry
“Nick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nick. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
nick
1 of 2 noun1
: a small groove : notch
2
: chip entry 1 sense 4
a nick in a cup
3
: the last moment at which the result of an event can be changed
arrived in the nick of time
nick
2 of 2 verb1
: to make a nick in
2
: to wound or cut slightly
nicked himself shaving
Medical Definition
nick
1 of 2 noun
: a break in one strand of two-stranded DNA caused by a missing phosphodiester bond
nick
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to produce a nick in (DNA)
circular DNA that has been nicked and closed
More from Merriam-Webster on nick
Nglish: Translation of nick for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of nick for Arabic Speakers
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