Knick vs. Nick — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 18, 2024
"Knick" is an incorrect spelling of the correct form "Nick." "Nick" can be a noun referring to a small cut or notch, or a verb meaning to slightly cut.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Knick or Nick
How to spell Nick?
Knick
Incorrect Spelling
Nick
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Keep it simple; "nick" has one fewer letter than "knick."
Think of the word "nickname," which doesn't have the extra "k."
Recall the common phrase "in the nick of time" to reinforce the correct spelling.
Associate the word "nick" with a "quick cut" to remember it's shorter.
Nick rhymes with "pick," both having no initial "k."
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How Do You Spell Nick Correctly?
Incorrect: Knick the surface of the table with a sharp object.
Correct: Nick the surface of the table with a sharp object.
Incorrect: A knick in the paint can be easily repaired.
Correct: A nick in the paint can be easily repaired.
Incorrect: He managed to knick himself while shaving.
Correct: He managed to nick himself while shaving.
Nick Definitions
Nick as a noun refers to a small cut or scratch.
He got a nick on his finger while chopping vegetables.
Nick as a verb means to make a small cut.
Be careful not to nick the wood.
Nick can also mean to catch or arrest someone.
The police nicked him for speeding.
Nick is used to indicate a very short time.
He arrived in the nick of time.
Nick refers to the condition or state of something.
The antique is in good nick.
Nick is a masculine given name. It is also often encountered as a short form (hypocorism) of the given names Nicholas, Nicola, Nicolas, Nikola, Nicolai or Nicodemus.
A small cut or notch
A small nick on his wrist
Prison
He'll end up in the nick for the rest of his life
The junction between the floor and side walls in a squash court or real tennis court.
Make a nick or nicks in
He had nicked himself while shaving
Steal
She nicked fivers from the till
Arrest (someone)
Stuart and Dan got nicked for burglary
Go quickly or surreptitiously
They nicked across the road
A shallow notch, cut, or indentation on an edge or a surface
Nicks in the table.
Razor nicks on his chin.
Chiefly British Slang A prison or police station.
(Printing) A groove down the side of a piece of type used to ensure that it is correctly placed.
To cut a nick or notch in.
To cut into and wound slightly
A sliver of glass nicked my hand.
To cut short; check
Nicked an impulse to flee.
(Slang) To cheat, especially by overcharging.
To steal.
To arrest.
A small cut in a surface.
A particular place or point considered as marked by a nick; the exact point or critical moment.
In the nick of time
A notch cut crosswise in the shank of a type, to assist a compositor in placing it properly in the stick, and in distribution.
Senses connoting something small.
(cricket) A small deflection of the ball off the edge of the bat, often going to the wicket-keeper for a catch.
(genetics) One of the single-stranded DNA segments produced during nick translation.
The point where the wall of the court meets the floor.
Often in the expressions in bad nick and in good nick: condition, state.
The car I bought was cheap and in good nick.
A police station or prison.
He was arrested and taken down to Sun Hill nick [police station] to be charged.
He’s just been released from Shadwell nick [prison] after doing ten years for attempted murder.
(Internet) nickname
A user’s reserved nick on an IRC network
(archaic) A nix or water]] spirit.
(transitive) To make a nick or notch in; to cut or scratch in a minor way.
I nicked myself while I was shaving.
(transitive) To make ragged or uneven, as by cutting nicks or notches in; to deface, to mar.
To make a crosscut or cuts on the underside of (the tail of a horse, in order to make the animal carry it higher).
To fit into or suit, as by a correspondence of nicks; to tally with.
To hit at, or in, the nick; to touch rightly; to strike at the precise point or time.
To hit the ball with the edge of the bat and produce a fine deflection.
To throw or turn up (a number when playing dice); to hit upon.
To make a cut at the side of the face.
To give or call (someone) by a nickname; to style.
An evil spirit of the waters.
A notch cut into something
A broken or indented place in any edge or surface; as, nicks in a china plate; a nick in the table top.
A particular point or place considered as marked by a nick; the exact point or critical moment.
To cut it off in the very nick.
This nick of time is the critical occasion for the gaining of a point.
To make a nick or nicks in; to notch; to keep count of or upon by nicks; as, to nick a stick, tally, etc.
To mar; to deface; to make ragged, as by cutting nicks or notches in; to create a nick{2} in, deliberately or accidentally; as, to nick the rim of a teacup.
And thence proceed to nicking sashes.
The itch of his affection should not thenHave nicked his captainship.
To suit or fit into, as by a correspondence of nicks; to tally with.
Words nicking and resembling one another are applicable to different significations.
To make a cross cut or cuts on the under side of (the tail of a horse, in order to make him carry it higher).
To nickname; to style.
For Warbeck, as you nick him, came to me.
An impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
A small cut
Cut slightly, with a razor;
The barber's knife nicked his cheek
Cut a nick into
Divide or reset the tail muscles of;
Nick horses
Mate successfully; of livestock
Nick Meaning in a Sentence
The gardener found a nick in the blade of his favorite shears.
She noticed a small nick on the edge of her favorite coffee mug.
Every nick on the old desk told a story of its long history.
To fix the nick in the countertop, they used a special resin.
He received a small nick on his cheek from playing too rough with his dog.
A tiny nick in the glass could make the whole mirror unsafe.
The thief left a nick in the window frame when he broke into the house.
The barber was careful not to nick his client's skin while trimming his beard.
A nick in the edge of a knife can affect its cutting ability.
When cleaning his fishing gear, he noticed a nick in the rod.
Carelessly handling the CD resulted in a nick along its edge.
The painter touched up a nick in the mural with a dab of paint.
She found a nick on her guitar but loved it even more for its imperfections.
A nick in the fabric of the dress was mended with a few careful stitches.
Finding a nick on a brand-new phone screen is always disappointing.
The mechanic pointed out a nick in the tire that could lead to a leak.
A nick in the blade was the only evidence of the chef's busy day.
After the move, she unpacked her plates and found a nick in one.
The pottery had a small nick at the bottom, but it was still beautiful.
The tailor advised against buying the suit due to a nick on the lapel.
Nick Idioms & Phrases
Nick and dime
To charge small amounts for many things, potentially adding up to a large total.
The airline really nickels and dimes you with all their extra fees.
In the nick of time
Just in time; at the last possible moment.
He arrived in the nick of time to catch his flight.
Keep it in good nick
To keep something in good condition.
He keeps his vintage car in good nick by regularly servicing it.
A nick in time saves nine
Fixing a small problem quickly can prevent it from becoming a bigger problem.
Noticing and repairing a small leak now is a nick in time that saves nine, preventing major water damage.
Out of nick
In poor condition.
After the long journey, the old suitcase was completely out of nick.
To nick someone for something
To catch or arrest someone for a crime.
The police nicked him for speeding through the town.
Common Curiosities
What is the root word of Nick?
The root word is "nick" itself.
Why is it called Nick?
The term comes from Old English "niccian," meaning to cut or strike lightly.
Which vowel is used before Nick?
Any vowel can precede "nick," depending on the context.
What is the verb form of Nick?
The verb form is "to nick."
Which article is used with Nick?
"A" or "the," depending on the context.
Is Nick a noun or adjective?
It can be both a noun and a verb.
What is the singular form of Nick?
Nick.
Which conjunction is used with Nick?
No specific conjunction predominantly used.
What is the plural form of Nick?
Nicks.
What is the pronunciation of Nick?
Pronounced as /nɪk/.
Is Nick an adverb?
No.
Is Nick a vowel or consonant?
It's a word, not a single letter.
Is Nick a collective noun?
No.
Which preposition is used with Nick?
"In," as in "in the nick of time."
Is Nick a negative or positive word?
Neutral, but context-dependent.
Is the word Nick a Gerund?
No.
How many syllables are in Nick?
One syllable.
What is the first form of Nick?
Nick as a verb is "nick."
Is the word “Nick” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be a direct object when used as a noun.
What is the opposite of Nick?
Smooth or uncut.
Which determiner is used with Nick?
"The" or "a," depending on context.
What is the third form of Nick?
Nicked.
Is the word Nick imperative?
It can be used in imperative sentences.
What part of speech is Nick?
It can be a noun or a verb.
What is another term for Nick?
Cut or notch.
Is Nick an abstract noun?
No.
Is Nick a countable noun?
Yes, when referring to cuts or notches.
Is the Nick term a metaphor?
Not inherently, but can be used metaphorically.
How do we divide Nick into syllables?
It's a one-syllable word.
What is a stressed syllable in Nick?
The whole word is stressed, as it's one syllable.
What is the second form of Nick?
Nicks.
How is Nick used in a sentence?
"He nicked his finger while slicing an apple."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
