Definition: Nickname
Etymology
From Middle English nekename, alteration (due to a rebracketing of an ekename as a nekename) of earlier ekename (“nickname”), from eke (“also, additional”) + name (“name”).
Noun
nickname (plural nicknames)
- A familiar, invented given name for a person or thing used instead of the actual name of the person or thing, often based on some noteworthy characteristic.
- "The Big Apple" is a common nickname for New York City.
- A familiar, shortened, or diminutive name for a person or thing.
- My name is Jonathan, but I go by my nickname, Johnny.
Usage notes
Nicknames are often given in quotation marks between the first and last names. For example: Sammy "The Bull" Gravano.
Verb
nickname (third-person singular simple present nicknames, present participle nicknaming, simple past and past participle nicknamed)
- (transitive) To give a nickname to (a person or thing).
- Gerald, nicknamed "Jerry," was usually a very cheerful person.
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors copied and adjusted this Wiktionary entry in accordance with NWE standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit for this article is due to both New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions at Wiktionary is accessible to researchers here:
