-nik

1. a suffix of nouns that refer, usually derogatorily, to persons who support or are concerned or associated with a particular political cause or group, cultural attitude, or the like:

   beatnik, filmnik; no-goodnik; peacenik.

-nik

suffix forming nouns

1. denoting a person associated with a specified state, belief, or quality

   refusenik

   beatnik

Word History and Origins

Origin of -nik¹

< Yiddish ( nudnik ) < Slavic: a personal suffix in Slavic languages in contact with Yiddish

Word History and Origins

Origin of -nik¹

C20: from Russian -nik, as in Sputnik , and influenced by Yiddish -nik (agent suffix)

Example Sentences

So, tell me Nik, how are you preparing mentally for this walk?

From The Daily Beast

Nik Wallenda is set to be the first person to walk across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope.

From The Daily Beast

But that no-fun-nik Rick Perry came out today against the idea.

From The Daily Beast

Rhinichthys, rī-nik′this, n. a North American genus of cyprinoid fishes.

From Project Gutenberg

At the end of the room stood now a huge archaic Nik, with outstretched peplum and soaring wings.

From Project Gutenberg

He turned joyously, his young figure finely caught in the light of Elizabeth's lamp against the background of the Nik.

From Project Gutenberg

The wood fire glowed on the hearth, and its ruddy light was on the face of the Nik, and its solemn outstretched wings.

From Project Gutenberg

Splanchnic, splangk′nik, adj. relating to the viscera, intestinal.

From Project Gutenberg