What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nick
Example
I accidentally nicked my finger while chopping vegetables. [nick: verb]
Example
The singer hit a few nicks during the performance, but overall it was great. [nicks: plural noun]
Example
Can you make a small nick in the wood to fit this piece? [nick: noun]
notch
Example
He carved a notch in the tree to mark his progress. [notch: noun]
Example
She reached another notch in her career by landing a lead role in a movie. [notch: noun]
Example
The team notched another victory in their winning streak. [notched: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nick is more commonly used in everyday language, while notch is more formal and less common.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between nick and notch?
Notch is more formal than nick and is often used in professional or academic contexts to describe significant accomplishments or achievements, while nick is more casual and is often used to describe small mistakes or adjustments.
