cinch

¹

[ sinch ]

noun

1. a strong girth used on stock saddles, having a ring at each end to which a strap running from the saddle is secured.
2. a firm hold or tight grip.
3. Informal.
   1. something sure or easy:

      This problem is a cinch.

   2. a person or thing certain to fulfill an expectation, especially a team or contestant certain to win a sporting event:

      The Giants are a cinch to win Sunday's game.

verb (used with object)

1. to gird with a cinch; gird or bind firmly.
2. Informal. to seize on or make sure of; guarantee:

   Ability and hard work cinched her success.

cinch

²

[ sinch ]

noun

, Cards.

1. a variety of the game all fours.

cinch

¹

/ sɪntʃ /

noun

1. a card game in which the five of trumps ranks highest

cinch

²

/ sɪntʃ /

noun

1. slang.
   an easy task
2. slang.
   a certainty
3. a band around a horse's belly to keep the saddle in position Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)girth
4. informal.
   a firm grip

verb

1. often foll by up to fasten a girth around (a horse)
2. informal.
   tr to make sure of
3. informal.
   tr to get a firm grip on

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinch¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1855–60; from Spanish cincha, from Latin cingula “girth,” from cing(ere) “to gird” + -ula -ule

Origin of cinch²

First recorded in 1885–90; perhaps from Spanish cinco “five,” also the name of a card game, from Vulgar Latin cinque (unrecorded), from Latin quinque; five ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinch¹

C19: probably from cinch ¹

Origin of cinch²

C19: from Spanish cincha saddle girth, from Latin cingula girdle, from cingere to encircle

Example Sentences

He certainly was no cinch to make it to the major leagues, though.

From Los Angeles Times

His lifetime batting average has dipped to .299, and milestones such as 500 home runs and 3,000 hits that once seemed a cinch are now long shots or downright impossible.

From Los Angeles Times

The clothes: Cocooned hoods, floor-grazing trench coats with a kind of backward veil, cinched jackets with ’80s proportions in leopard-printed pony hair and an iridescent shorts suit the color of rich amber.

From Los Angeles Times

Within the short space of 32 hours, Harris had enough commitments from Democratic delegates to cinch in the nomination.

From Salon

Three elements cinched it: The views from the road above were stunning, the piazza charmed, and what would become something of a location star for rapt viewers, “the incredible network of stairs, alleys and passageways.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cakewalk
• piece of cake