What does nickname mean?

Definitions for nickname
ˈnɪkˌneɪmnick·name

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word nickname.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. nickname, moniker, cognomen, sobriquet, soubriquet, bynamenoun

    a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version of a person's given name)

    "Joe's mother would not use his nickname and always called him Joseph"; "Henry's nickname was Slim"

  2. nicknameverb

    a descriptive name for a place or thing

    "the nickname for the U.S. Constitution is `Old Ironsides'"

  3. dub, nicknameverb

    give a nickname to

GCIDE

  1. nicknamenoun

    A name given in affectionate familiarity, sportive familiarity, contempt, or derision; a familiar or an opprobrious appellation; as, Nicholas's nickname is Nick.

Wiktionary

  1. nicknamenoun

    A familiar, invented given name for a person or thing used instead of the actual name of the person or thing.

  2. nicknamenoun

    A kind of byname that describes a person by a characteristic of that person.

  3. nicknameverb

    To give a nickname to (a person or thing).

  4. Etymology: nekename, alteration (due to an incorrect division of the words an ekename as a nekename) of previous ekename, from eke + name. compare aukanafn.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Nicknamenoun

    A name given in scoff or contempt; a term of derision; an opprobrious or contemptuous appellation.

    Etymology: nom de nique, French.

    The time was when men were had in price for learning; now letters only make men vile. He is upbraidingly called a poet, as if it were a contemptible nickname. Ben Jonson.

    My mortal enemy hath not only falsely surmised me to be a feigned person, giving me nicknames, but also hath offered large sums of money to corrupt the princes with whom I have been retained. Francis Bacon, Hen. VII.

    So long as her tongue was at liberty, there was not a word to be got from her, but the same nickname in derision. Roger L'Estrange.

  2. To Nicknameverb

    To call by an opprobrious appellation.

    You nickname virtue vice;
    For virtue’s office never breaks men’s troth. William Shakespeare.

    Less seem these facts which treasons nickname force,
    Than such a fear’d ability for more. John Denham.

Wikipedia

  1. Nickname

    A nickname, also moniker is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character, particularly by school bullies. As a concept, it is distinct from both pseudonym and stage name, and also from a title (for example, City of Fountains), although there may be overlap in these concepts. A hypocoristic is a nickname of affection between those in love or with a close emotional bond.

ChatGPT

  1. nickname

    A nickname is an informal, alternative name given to a person, object or place, often based on their characteristics, behavior, or personal qualities. It's often used as a term of affection or familiarity.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Nicknamenoun

    a name given in contempt, derision, or sportive familiarity; a familiar or an opprobrious appellation

  2. Nicknameverb

    to give a nickname to; to call by a nickname

  3. Etymology: [OE. ekename surname, hence, a nickname, an ekename being understood as a nekename, influenced also by E. nick, v. See Eke, and Name.]

Wikidata

  1. Nickname

    A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name. It can also be the familiar or truncated form of the proper name, which may sometimes be used simply for convenience. The term hypocoristic is used to refer to a nickname of affection between those in love or with a close emotional bond, compared with a term of endearment. The term diminutive name refers to nicknames that convey smallness, hence something regarded with affection or familiarity, or contempt. The distinction between the two is often blurred. It is a form of endearment and amusement. As a concept, it is distinct from both pseudonym and stage name, and also from a title, although there may be overlap in these concepts. A nickname is often considered desirable, symbolising a form of acceptance, but can sometimes be a form of ridicule.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Nickname

    nik′nām, n. a name given in contempt or sportive familiarity.—v.t. to give a nickname to. [M. E. neke-name, with intrusive initial n from eke-name, surname; from eke and name.]

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms

  1. nickname

    A combination of two separate unclassified words that is assigned an unclassified meaning and is employed only for unclassified administrative, morale, or public information purposes.

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of nickname in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of nickname in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of nickname in a Sentence

  1. Katie McHugh:

    Stephen Miller asked me if I had seen the recent' AmRen' article about crime statistics and race, i responded in the affirmative because I had read it. Many of us [ on the far right ] had read it. I remember being struck by the way he called it' AmRen,' the nickname.

  2. Judith Martin, (Miss Manners):

    What you have when everyone wears the same playclothes for all occasions, is addressad by nickname, expected to participate in Show And Tell, and bullied out of any desire form privacy, is not democracy; it is kindergarten.

  3. Lisa Niemi:

    The first time Buddy( her nickname for Swayze) and I danced together was at a school exhibition, we walked out on stage. I looked in his eyes, it was like everything came alive.

  4. Sam Johnson:

    John Kerry showed his true colors, and they are not red, white and blue, is it any wonder that my comrades from Vietnam and I have a nickname for him similar to 'Hanoi Jane?' It's called 'Hanoi John.'.

  5. Jim Mattis:

    Senator, I assure you that nickname was given to me by the press and some of you have experienced similar occasions with the press where they perhaps they didn't get it quite right.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for nickname

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"nickname." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 10 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/nickname>.

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