# nickname

/ˈnɪkˌneɪm/ (US) · /nˈɪkneɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nickname
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a familiar name

noun · CEFR A2

an informal name for a person or thing, often based on their character or a shorter version of their real name.

For teachers: an informal, often descriptive or diminutive name used as a substitute for a proper name.

- His real name is Richard, but everyone calls him by his nickname, 'Richie'.
- The city earned the nickname 'The Big Apple' in the 1920s, and the moniker has remained popular with tourists ever since.

## 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.