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

They nickname the unknown species “Gnatalie,” after the pests that plague them as they work.

From Los Angeles Times

Like winged creatures of the sky it draws its nickname from, the bird of paradise seems always ready for takeoff, angling itself toward the light of better tomorrows, or at least the possibility of them.

From Los Angeles Times

Bhaghani’s consistency in making 14 of 17 field-goal attempts this season has done more than put the sophomore in the conversation to join Norm Johnson, John Lee, Chris Sailer, Justin Medlock and Ka’imi Fairbairn as one of the Bruins’ all-time great kickers; it has also earned him the nickname “Money Bhags” from special teams coordinator Kodi Whitfield.

From Los Angeles Times

He is said to have hated the generals who worked for him in his first administration, from Jim Mattis, the retired Marine general he first appointed as secretary of defense because he liked his nickname, “Mad Dog,” to former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley to retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, who was White House chief of staff, to retired Army Gen. H.R.

From Salon

Daniel Shaun Zilke, who went by the nickname “the Englishman,” was also fined $50,000 and ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• epithet
• moniker
• sobriquet
• style
• tag