notch

1 of 2

noun

ˈnäch 

1

a

: a V-shaped indentation

b

: a slit made to serve as a record

c

: a rounded indentation cut into the pages of a book on the edge opposite the spine

2

: a deep close pass : gap

3

: degree, step

notched

ˈnächt 

adjective

notch

2 of 2

verb

notched; notching; notches

transitive verb

1

: to cut or make a notch in

2

a

: to mark or record by a notch

b

: score, achieve

—sometimes used with up

Did you know?

Occasionally, you might hear a child ask for a "napple," as in "I would like a napple," mistaking the phrase "an apple" for "a napple." A similar error is believed to be behind notch, which may have resulted from a misdivision of "an otch." (Otch is a noun that is assumed to have existed in earlier English as a borrowing of Middle French oche, meaning "an incision made to keep a record.") Notch would not be alone in developing from such a mistake. The words newt and nickname were formed, respectively, from misdivisions of "an ewte" and "an ekename." Going in the other direction, umpire first appears in Middle English as oumpere, a mistaken rendering of "a noumpere."

Synonyms

Noun

• chip
• groove
• slit
• indent
• punch

Verb

• achieve
• win
• attain
• gain
• clock (up) [chiefly British]
• make

Examples of notch in a Sentence

Noun

Cut small notches at the corners of the fabric.

The tool has a notch for prying out nails.

The town is on the other side of the notch.

They turned the volume up several notches.

Verb

Notch the ends so that they fit together.

He notched his fifth victory this year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Viewing on the regular projector screen bumped the visuals up a notch further, particularly for contrast and dynamics, but by far the most impressive experience was had with the 100-inch ambient-light-rejecting Fresnel screen for long-throw projectors that Valerion sent with the projector. —Paul Ridden june 25, New Atlas, 25 June 2025

Even those focusing on those bread-and-butter leisure sports are taking it up a notch with world-class coaching programs. —Hannah Seligson, Robb Report, 19 June 2025

Verb

Philadelphia also notched its first 100-degree day since July 18, 2012, AccuWeather said. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 27 June 2025

The index needed to finish the day with a gain of 0.86% or more to officially notch a record high. —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps alteration (from misdivision of an otch) of *otch, from Middle French oche

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing notch

• top-notch

Rhymes for notch

• boche
• botch
• brough
• crotch
• gotch
• rotch
• scotch
• swatch
• watch
• butterscotch
• hopscotch
• stopwatch

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Kids Definition

notch

1 of 2 noun

ˈnäch 

1

: a cut in the shape of a V in an edge or surface

2

: a narrow pass between mountains : gap

3

: degree sense 1, step

turn the radio up a notch

notch

2 of 2 verb

1

: to cut or make a notch in

2

a

: to mark or record by a notch

b

: achieve sense 2, score

Medical Definition

notch

noun

ˈnäch 

: a V-shaped indentation (as on a bone)

notched

ˈnächt 

adjective