cinch

¹

[ sinch ]

noun

1. a strong girth used on stock saddles, having a ring at each end to which a strap running from the saddle is secured.
2. a firm hold or tight grip.
3. Informal.
   1. something sure or easy:

      This problem is a cinch.

   2. a person or thing certain to fulfill an expectation, especially a team or contestant certain to win a sporting event:

      The Giants are a cinch to win Sunday's game.

verb (used with object)

1. to gird with a cinch; gird or bind firmly.
2. Informal. to seize on or make sure of; guarantee:

   Ability and hard work cinched her success.

cinch

²

[ sinch ]

noun

, Cards.

1. a variety of the game all fours.

cinch

¹

/ sɪntʃ /

noun

1. a card game in which the five of trumps ranks highest

cinch

²

/ sɪntʃ /

noun

1. slang.
   an easy task
2. slang.
   a certainty
3. a band around a horse's belly to keep the saddle in position Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)girth
4. informal.
   a firm grip

verb

1. often foll by up to fasten a girth around (a horse)
2. informal.
   tr to make sure of
3. informal.
   tr to get a firm grip on

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinch¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1855–60; from Spanish cincha, from Latin cingula “girth,” from cing(ere) “to gird” + -ula -ule

Origin of cinch²

First recorded in 1885–90; perhaps from Spanish cinco “five,” also the name of a card game, from Vulgar Latin cinque (unrecorded), from Latin quinque; five ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinch¹

C19: probably from cinch ¹

Origin of cinch²

C19: from Spanish cincha saddle girth, from Latin cingula girdle, from cingere to encircle

Example Sentences

So it’s not that establishing a Cabinet-level post has not been brought up before, or is even a cinch to set up.

From Washington Post

These cookie stamps took a little getting used to, but once I figured out the sturdy and rather satisfying thwack needed to pop the cookies out, it was a cinch.

From Eater

Acquiring them is a cinch as they are locked behind rudimentary puzzles.

From Washington Post

This pad has plenty of room for us all, retains 100 percent of its air through the night, and is a cinch to set up with its capable pump.

From Outside Online

Fix that issue, and add a nose wire and some adjustable cinches to the ear loops, and it’d be even better.

From Outside Online

And, thanks to a transparent hull, exploring the deep and spotting rare marine life is practically a cinch.

From The Daily Beast

Cinch an Inch…Or Seven But are waist cinchers the secret to a smaller waist?

From The Daily Beast

Cinch the waist, tighten the tummy, raise the rear, there is a shape shifter designed for every job.

From The Daily Beast

The historical record suggests it should cinch the contest for the Democrats.

From The Daily Beast

We'll be watched every minute of the time that we prowl around those painted rocks; that's a cinch.

From Project Gutenberg

You've done a big thing to-day, and if you hadn't had more pluck and ginger than common, it's a cinch you'd have lost out.

From Project Gutenberg

He sleeps at night with his nose against th' shingled roof iv his little frame home an' dhreams iv cinch bugs.

From Project Gutenberg

We'll cinch that 'strike' of dad's, and Hawley'll be so badly beaten he'll never know what struck him.

From Project Gutenberg

We thought sure we had a cinch on the coin several hours ago!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cakewalk
• piece of cake