Synonyms of nick

nick 1 of 2

noun

ˈnik 

1

as in chip

a V-shaped cut usually on an edge or a surface

I made a nick in the frame when I accidentally dropped it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chip
• slit
• hack
• groove
• slot
• indent
• indentation
• punch
• notch
• kerf
• indenture
• nock
• score
• snip
• undercut
• joggle

2

as in jail

British slang a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody

the blokes at the pub traded stories of nights spent in the nick after having lifted too many pints

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jail
• prison
• penitentiary
• brig
• bastille
• pen
• pokey
• slammer
• stockade
• lockup
• hock
• bridewell
• calaboose
• big house
• coop
• guardroom
• hoosegow
• jug
• cooler
• jailhouse
• tolbooth
• can
• clink
• cage
• stir
• cell
• joint
• bull pen
• slam
• tank
• quod
• hole
• ward
• hold
• dungeon
• guardhouse
• stalag
• block
• concentration camp
• work camp
• glasshouse
• keep
• prison camp
• labor camp
• oubliette
• reformatory
• gulag
• hulk(s)
• reform school
• training school

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outside

3

as in shape

British a state of being or fitness

the princess is in excellent nick these days

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shape
• condition
• health
• repair
• form
• order
• estate
• trim
• keeping
• fettle
• kilter
• practice
• phase
• situation
• stage
• pass
• status
• scene
• picture
• standing
• posture
• rank
• footing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disorder
• disrepair

nick

2 of 2

verb

British slang

1

as in to steal

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep

that lorry was a piece of rubbish, I don't know why anyone would want to nick it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• steal
• swipe
• rob
• grab
• snitch
• pinch
• pocket
• lift
• snatch
• nip
• rip off
• appropriate
• pilfer
• hook
• filch
• thieve
• misappropriate
• walk off with
• run off with
• make away with
• purloin
• boost
• hijack
• pick
• make off with
• sack
• take
• knock over
• heist
• seize
• loot
• plunder
• rifle
• burglarize
• pillage
• nail
• collar
• grasp
• spirit
• kidnap
• poach
• sponge
• rustle
• shoplift
• shanghai
• abduct
• mooch
• carjack

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buy
• purchase
• give
• present
• contribute
• hand over
• donate
• bestow

2

as in to arrest

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law

a petty thief who was always getting nicked for picking the pockets of tourists outside Buckingham Palace

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrest
• seize
• grab
• apprehend
• pinch
• detain
• restrain
• run in
• nail
• jail
• pull in
• snatch
• capture
• catch
• nab
• bust
• collar
• commit
• pick up
• trap
• hook
• snare
• confine
• snap (up)
• land
• imprison
• incarcerate
• get
• bag
• grapple
• bind
• intern
• lock (up)
• hold
• jug
• handcuff
• immure
• shackle
• manacle
• trammel
• fetter
• remand
• enchain
• rearrest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• release
• free
• loose
• spring
• liberate
• loosen
• emancipate
• unbind
• unchain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nick

Noun

Ask about their protocol if a dog is injured during grooming, even a minor nick, and expect a clear process for communicating incidents to the owner. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026

During construction, floorboards were left exposed to develop nicks and dents. — Genevieve Walker, Architectural Digest, 11 July 2026

Verb

Ebadot dismissed Alex Carey (19) after lunch and Taskin bowled Webster (12) before Cummins (9) and Starc (1) both nicked off to Hasan before the tea interval. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Actual rogues tend to skulk in corners and nick your smartphone. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing nick

• Old Nick