nickname

[ nik-neym ]

noun

1. a name added to or substituted for the proper name of a person, place, etc., as in affection, ridicule, or familiarity:

   He has always loathed his nickname of “Whizzer.”

2. a familiar form of a proper name, as Jim for James and Peg for Margaret.

verb (used with object)

, nick·named, nick·nam·ing.

1. to give a nickname to (a person, town, etc.); call by a nickname.
2. Archaic. to call by an incorrect or improper name; misname.

nickname

/ ˈnɪkˌneɪm /

noun

1. a familiar, pet, or derisory name given to a person, animal, or place

   his nickname was Lefty because he was left-handed

2. a shortened or familiar form of a person's name

   Joe is a nickname for Joseph

verb

1. tr to call by a nickname; give a nickname to

Other Words From

• nicknamer noun
• un·nicknamed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nickname¹

1400–50; late Middle English nekename, for ekename (the phrase an ekename being taken as a nekename ). See eke ², name; newt

Word History and Origins

Origin of nickname¹

C15 a nekename, mistaken division of an ekename an additional name, from eke addition + name

Example Sentences

Mr Acutis gained his nickname partly by designing websites for his parish and school, but he mainly became known for launching a website seeking to document every reported Eucharistic miracle.

From BBC

Police said the plotters had nicknamed the operation "green and yellow dagger", in reference to the colours of the Brazilian flag.

From BBC

Having mixed feelings about going home isn’t all she shares with Kate, a weather expert returning to her native state — specifically to a notorious area nicknamed “Tornado Alley” for the frequency of those deadly events.

From Los Angeles Times

Federer teamed up with Nadal for the final match of his career when the pair - affectionately nicknamed 'Fedal' - played together in the doubles for Europe against the Rest of the World at the Laver Cup.

From BBC

Harbaugh called Herbert by the nickname “Beast” last week, but edge rusher Joey Bosa revealed the coach has at least one other moniker for him: “The Cleaner.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• epithet
• moniker
• sobriquet
• style
• tag