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. slang,  an easy task

2. slang,  a certainty

3. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): girth. a band around a horse's belly to keep the saddle in position

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

cinch

²

/ sɪntʃ /

noun

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

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

Origin of cinch²

C19: probably from _cinch ¹

Example Sentences

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China sent stocks on another roller-coaster ride Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average cinching its biggest intraday comeback since April.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The cinched waist—the subtle negative drafts ahead of rear quarters—might as well have had whalebone stays.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She launches into how she likes to style her brown snakeskin Chloé Silverado bag — with “one of those skirts that you can cinch and pull up a bit” and “gladiator sandals.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Starr slipped the ties around her wrists, and the intruder cinched them tight.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Under those finance deals, car dealers were paid more in commission if they cinched a higher interest rate on the loan.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cakewalk 
• piece of cake