nickname

American  

[nik-neym] / ˈnɪkˌneɪm /

noun

1. a name added to or substituted for the proper name of a person, place, etc., as in affection, ridicule, or familiarity.

   He has always loathed his nickname of “Whizzer.”

2. a familiar form of a proper name, as Jim for James and Peg for Margaret.

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verb (used with object)

nicknamed, nicknaming

1. to give a nickname to (a person, town, etc.); call by a nickname.

2. Archaic. to call by an incorrect or improper name; misname.

nickname British  

/ ˈnɪkˌneɪm /

noun

1. a familiar, pet, or derisory name given to a person, animal, or place

   his nickname was Lefty because he was left-handed

2. a shortened or familiar form of a person's name

   Joe is a nickname for Joseph

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verb

1. (tr) to call by a nickname; give a nickname to

Other Word Forms

• nicknamer noun
• unnicknamed adjective

Etymology

Origin of nickname

1400–50; late Middle English nekename, for ekename (the phrase an ekename being taken as a nekename ). See eke ², name; newt

Example Sentences

The Bears added another before second-year quarterback Caleb Williams showed why he has been nicknamed 'the Iceman' by leading his team to touchdowns on three straight possessions.

From BBC

The Growler, which is flown by a Navy squadron nicknamed the “Zappers,” likely played a key role in Venezuela, where air defenses were quickly overwhelmed.

From The Wall Street Journal

The fossil, uncovered in South Africa's Sterkfontein Caves in 1998 and nicknamed "Little Foot," has long been considered part of the Australopithecus genus.

From Science Daily

He has embraced his nickname 'Heavy Metal', originating from both his love of the music genre and use of heavy darts - that weigh 32 grams.

From BBC

Shareholders don’t know if Abel can channel the stock-picking magic of his predecessor, who earned the nickname the Oracle of Omaha.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• epithet
• moniker
• sobriquet
• style
• tag