What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dings
Example
The table had several dings and scratches from years of use. [dings: noun]
Example
I accidentally dinged my car door on the parking meter. [dinged: past tense verb]
nicks
Example
The knife had a few nicks in the blade from frequent use. [nicks: noun]
Example
I accidentally nicked my finger while chopping vegetables. [nicked: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dings and nicks are both common words used in everyday language, but dings is more commonly used in American English, while nicks is more commonly used in British English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dings and nicks?
Both dings and nicks are informal words and are appropriate for casual conversations or writing. They are not typically used in formal contexts.
