Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

nim

verb
\ ˈnim How to pronounce nim (audio) \
nimmed; nimming

Definition of nim

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

archaic : steal, filch

intransitive verb

archaic : thieve

nim

noun

Definition of nim (Entry 2 of 2)

: any of various games in which counters are laid out in one or more piles and each player in turn draws one or more counters with the object of taking the last counter, forcing the opponent to take it, or taking the most or fewest counters

Examples of nim in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Modiam quis amconsenim alit vendionsed elessent lametum ad magniam dit nim veros et, conulput vulluptat dolutpat. — Houston Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, "PLAY HED 54 GOES HERE AND HERE Perry hel goes here and hery djsk dski," 1 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of nim

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for nim

Verb

earlier nim to take, from Middle English nimen, from Old English niman

Noun

probably from nim entry 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about nim

Dictionary Entries near nim

nilpotent

nil sine numine

Nilsson

nim

nimb

nimbed

nimble

Statistics for nim

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for nim

The first known use of nim was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

More from Merriam-Webster on nim

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with nim

Comments on nim

What made you want to look up nim? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

writhe

Listen to the pronounciation of writhe

to move or proceed with twists and turns

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
TRENDING NOW

  1. surveillance Comey comments on Barr's use of 'spy'

  2. cavalier Virginia wins men's championship

  3. redact, redacted Barr discusses release of report

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games