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 of notch

Noun

• chip
• groove
• slit
• indent
• punch

Verb

• achieve
• win
• attain
• gain
• clock (up)
• 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

Take things up a notch and reserve in advance for Dinner on the Sandbar, a private five-course dinner in the shallows surrounding Little Palm Island. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026

Despite being downgraded, US debt is still ranked a notch below perfect and ahead of debt from major economies like France and Japan. — Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

Within those 22 appearances, the Cubs are 9-1 in his starts, and the Mexican right-hander has also notched two saves, covering all sorts of situations in his hybrid role. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Although application volume for undergraduate admission in the upcoming 2026-27 academic year rose overall, the number of international applicants fell 10%, the Common App also found, notching the steepest decline on record. — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

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