# notch

/ˈnɑtʃ/ (US) · /nˈɒtʃ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a V-shaped cut

noun · CEFR B2

a small V-shaped cut or hole in an edge or surface.

For teachers: a V-shaped indentation or incision made in an edge or surface.

- He cut a small notch in the stick to mark where the string should go.
- The carpenter made a precise notch in the timber to ensure the crossbeam would fit snugly into the frame.

### 2. a level or degree

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a level or step on a scale of quality or amount.

For teachers: a specific level or degree on a scale, often used to describe an increase in intensity or quality.

- The team needs to step up their game a notch if they want to win.
- After the first successful quarter, the manager decided to turn the pressure up a notch to see how the new recruits handled the stress.

### 3. phone screen cutout

noun · CEFR B2

the small black area at the top of a smartphone screen that holds the camera.

For teachers: an indentation at the top of a mobile device display used to house hardware components like cameras and sensors.

- The new phone has a smaller notch, so there is more space for the screen.
- Early bezel-less designs were criticised for the intrusive notch that interrupted the visual continuity of the high-definition display.

### 4. to achieve or record

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to achieve a success or to score a point.

For teachers: to achieve or record a specific score, win, or milestone. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The company managed to notch up another record year for sales.
- By winning the final match, the athlete notched her tenth consecutive victory in the international circuit.

Usage: Often used with the particle 'up' as in 'notch up'.

### 5. mountain pass

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Dialect

a narrow passage or gap between mountains.

For teachers: a narrow pass or defile between mountains, particularly in the northeastern United States.

- The hikers followed the trail through the notch to reach the other side of the range.
- The road winds steeply through the Crawford Notch, offering dramatic views of the granite cliffs on either side.

## Examples

- The team moved up a notch in the rankings.
- After the successful marketing campaign, the brand's popularity went up a notch among younger consumers.
- The chef decided to take the spice level up a notch by adding habanero peppers to the signature sauce, challenging the palates of his regular customers.

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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.