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nicknamea familiar or humorous name given to a person or thing instead of or as well as the real name

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a familiar or humorous name given to a person or thing instead of or as well as the real name

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈnɪkneɪm/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother's nickname for me is 'Pumpkin', which is embarrassing when she yells it in public.
  • The basketball player earned the nickname 'The Tower' because of his height.
  • She hates her nickname 'Giggles' but can't stop people from using it.

nickname

NOUN

[/ˈnɪkneɪm/]

a familiar or humorous name given to a person or thing instead of or as well as the real name

His teammates gave him the nickname 'Rocket' because he runs so fast.
💡 Concept

His teammates gave him the nickname 'Rocket' because he runs so fast.

Pick a nickname, quick as a stick!
🎵 Rhyme

Pick a nickname, quick as a stick!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈnɪkneɪm/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈnɪkneɪm/

🌳Etymology

Rootnick
Suffix-name

Origin

From Middle English 'eke name' meaning 'additional name,' where 'eke' meant 'also' or 'additional.' Over time, 'an eke name' was reanalyzed as 'a neke name' and eventually became 'a nickname.'

Breakdown

eke (additional/also) + name → nickname (through reanalysis of word boundaries)

🎵Rhyme

pickstickquickthickclick
pick
stick
quick
thick
click

🔗Collocations

give someone a nickname
earn a nickname
childhood nickname
funny nickname
go by a nickname
cruel nickname

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My grandmother's nickname for me is 'Pumpkin', which is embarrassing when she yells it in public.

The basketball player earned the nickname 'The Tower' because of his height.

😄 Fun example

She hates her nickname 'Giggles' but can't stop people from using it.

The city's nickname is 'The Big Apple', known worldwide.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

aliasmonikerpet namesobriquethandle

Antonyms

real namegiven nameformal name

Related

pseudonymstage nameusernametitlelabel

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