First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1nickname
noun nick·name \ˈnik-ˌnām\
: a name (such as “Moose” or “Lady Bird”) that is different from your real name but is what your family, friends, etc., call you when they are talking to you or about you
Full Definition of NICKNAME
1
: a usually descriptive name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to a person, place, or thing
2
: a familiar form of a proper name (as of a person or a city)
See nickname defined for English-language learners
See nickname defined for kids
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Origin of NICKNAME
Middle English nekename additional name, alteration (resulting from misdivision of an ekename) of ekename, from eke eke, also + name name
Related to NICKNAME
Rhymes with NICKNAME
A-frame, acclaim, aflame, airframe, ball game, big game, big-name, board game, brand name, byname, code name, cross-claim, declaim, defame, disclaim, endgame, enframe, exclaim, first name, forename, freeze-frame, head game, inflame, last name, mainframe, mind game, misname, no-name, pen name, place-name, prename, proclaim, quitclaim, reclaim, selfsame, shell game, skin game, space frame, surname, time frame, trade name, war game
2nickname
verb
: to give (someone) a name that is not that person's real name : to give a nickname to (someone)
Full Definition of NICKNAME
transitive verb
2
: to give a nickname to
— nick·nam·er noun
See nickname defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of NICKNAME
1536
NICKNAME Defined for Kids
1nickname
noun nick·name \ˈnik-ˌnām\
Definition of NICKNAME for Kids
1
: a usually descriptive name used in addition to a person's given name <My brother had the nickname “Nosy.”>
2
: a familiar form of a proper name <“Bill” and “Willie” are nicknames for “William.”>
Word History of NICKNAME
In the Middle Ages there was an English word ekename that meant “an extra name.” It was made of a word eke that meant “extra part” added to the word name. It started with a vowel, so an was used with this word instead of a. When an ekename was said fast, it sounded a bit like a nekename. As a result, some people thought the word started with n and began to pronounce it nekename. They did not know they were taking n away from an, adding it to ekename, and so making a new word. From this new word came the word nickname that we use now.
2nickname
verb
nick·namednick·nam·ing
Definition of NICKNAME for Kids
: to give a usually descriptive name to that is additional to a given name
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