What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nick
Example
I accidentally nicked myself while shaving this morning. [nicked: past tense verb]
Example
There's a small nick on the edge of the table from when we moved it. [nick: noun]
cut
Example
Be careful not to cut yourself with that knife. [cut: verb]
Example
The butcher made a clean cut through the meat. [cut: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cut is a more common word than nick and is used in a wider range of contexts. Nick is less common and is often used in specific situations, such as shaving or woodworking.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between nick and cut?
Both nick and cut can be used in formal and informal contexts, but cut is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.