nix

¹ American  

[niks] / nɪks /

noun

1. nothing.

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verb (used with object)

1. to veto; refuse to agree to; prohibit.

   The VP of Publishing nixed the project.

adverb

1. no.

interjection

1. Archaic. (used as an exclamation, especially of warning).

   Nix, the cops!

nix ² American  

[niks] / nɪks /

noun

plural

nixes

1. (in Germanic folklore) a water spirit that draws its victims into its underwater home.

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nix ¹ British  

/ nɪks /

1. another word for no 1

2. be careful! watch out!

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noun

1. a rejection or refusal

2. nothing at all

verb

1. (tr) to veto, deny, reject, or forbid (plans, suggestions, etc)

nix ² British  

/ nɪks /

noun

1. German myth a male water sprite, usually unfriendly to humans

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Etymology

Origin of nix¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from German, variant of nichts “nothing”

Origin of nix²

1825–35; < German Nix, Old High German nihhus; cognate with Old English nicor water monster, Old Norse nykr, Norwegian nøkk, Swedish näck; compare Sanskrit nenekti (he) washes

Explanation

If you nix something, you cancel or veto it. You might nix your little sister's plan to build a fire pit in the middle of the front yard. In North America, to nix something is to forbid or put an end to it. Your aunt might nix your idea about a surprise party for your uncle, knowing he would hate it, and a babysitter might nix her charges' plan to stay up all night watching movies. Another, less formal meaning of nix is "nothing." This is also the oldest meaning of the word, from the German nichts, also "nothing," and pronounced in much the same way.

Example Sentences

By contrast, Nix didn’t find a significant income effect for men after breakups with their female managers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

“Even in years three and four into the relationship, her gains are still larger than a similar woman who also dates a manager, but at a different workplace,” Nix says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

Dario Scardapane, who runs “Daredevil,” Matt Nix, who’s doing the new “Baywatch,” and then Elwood Reid, who does “Tracker.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Hobie, now a Baywatch captain, will navigate the familial troubles throughout the season, Nix said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

It’s bright blue and purple and says Gertrude Nix Rock Camp for Girls, with pictures of girls screaming into microphones, guitars weighing down their shoulders, drumsticks flying.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon