Word
Definition
n. an informal name for a person or thing, often based on their character or a shorter version of their real name.
n. an informal, often descriptive or diminutive name used as a substitute for a proper name.
Examples
“My real name is Richard, but my nickname is Rick.”
“She earned the nickname 'Speedy' because she was the fastest runner on the school soccer team.”
“While some nicknames are affectionate terms used only within the family, others can become professional aliases that eventually replace the individual's legal name in public life.”
Examples
simple
“My real name is Richard, but my nickname is Rick.”
contextual
“She earned the nickname 'Speedy' because she was the fastest runner on the school soccer team.”
complex
“While some nicknames are affectionate terms used only within the family, others can become professional aliases that eventually replace the individual's legal name in public life.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “nickname” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English neke name, alteration (due to a rebracketing of an ekename as a nekename) of earlier ekename (“nickname”), from eke (“additional”) + name. Compare Old Norse aukanafn, auknafn, auknefni, Faroese eyknevni, Danish øgenavn, Norwegian Nynorsk aukenamn, Swedish öknamn, and German Low German Ökelname. For other similar cases of incorrect division, see also apron, daffodil, newt, orange, umpire.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/nickname
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0