nickname Definition
- 1a name given to someone, especially someone famous, as a familiar or humorous name that describes their character or appearance
- 2a name used instead of someone's real name that either criticizes them or is not meant to be kind
Using nickname: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "nickname" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Her nickname is 'Red' because of her hair color.
Example
The famous basketball player Michael Jordan was known by the nickname 'Air Jordan'.
Example
He gave his boss the nickname 'Grumpy'.
Example
The nickname 'The Big Apple' is often used to refer to New York City.
nickname Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for nickname
- moniker
- label
- appellation
- byname
- handle
Phrases with nickname
earn a nickname
to do something that causes others to give you a new nickname
Example
After he won the race, he earned the nickname 'Speedy'.
Example
He goes by the nickname 'Ace' because he's good at everything.
Example
She gave her friend the nickname 'Sunshine' because she always brightens up her day.
Origins of nickname
from Middle English 'ekename', meaning 'additional name'
Summary: nickname in Brief
A 'nickname' [ˈnɪkneɪm] is an alternative name given to someone, often famous, that describes their character or appearance. It can also be a name used instead of someone's real name that either criticizes them or is not meant to be kind. Examples include 'Red' for someone with red hair and 'Grumpy' for a boss who is always in a bad mood.
