Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus
1

nit

noun \ ˈnit \

Definition of nit

1 : the egg of a louse or other parasitic insect; also : the insect itself when young
2 : a minor shortcoming

Origin and Etymology of nit

Middle English nite, from Old English hnitu; akin to Old High German hniz nit, Greek konid-, konis

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

2

nit

noun

Definition of nit

chiefly British
: nitwit

First Known Use of nit

1903

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

NIT

abbreviation

Definition of NIT

National Invitational Tournament

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

crease, lateral, lax, overthrow, playbook, post, screen, scrum, secondary, ultimate

NIT Defined for Kids

nit

noun \ ˈnit \

Definition of nit for Students

: the egg of a louse

Medical Dictionary

nit

noun \ ˈnit \

medical Definition of nit

: the egg of a louse or other parasitic insect; also : the insect itself when young

Learn More about nit

  1. See words that rhyme with nit Spanish Central: Translation of nit Nglish: Translation of nit for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

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

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

volatile

play

subject to rapid or unexpected change

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  2. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  3. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  4. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  5. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

NIT
nit

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

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

TAKE THE QUIZ

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