nix

[ niks ]

/ nɪks /

Informal.

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See synonyms for: nix / nixed / nixing on Thesaurus.com

noun

nothing.

verb (used with object)

to veto; refuse to agree to; prohibit: The VP of Publishing nixed the project.

adverb

no¹ (def. 1).

interjection

Archaic. (used as an exclamation, especially of warning): Nix, the cops!

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of nix

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

Other definitions for nix (2 of 2)

nix²

[ niks ]

/ nɪks /

noun, plural nix·es.

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

Origin of nix

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nix in a sentence

When the city asked its next power company to commit to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions “to the fullest extent practical,” SDG&E made a point of nixing that quoted modifier.
Environment Report: New Mayor, Council Draw Lines in Franchise Fee Battle|MacKenzie Elmer|December 21, 2020|Voice of San Diego
The win for protein structure prediction, however, marks its dazzling debut into the real world—one that nixes negative punditry on the value of AI for real-life quandaries.
DeepMind’s AlphaFold Is Close to Solving One of Biology’s Greatest Challenges|Shelly Fan|December 15, 2020|Singularity Hub
Nearly all major marathons and other road races were nixed in 2020, from Athens to Boston.
The future of marathons is in the hands of the casual runner|Katherine Ellen Foley|December 6, 2020|Quartz
In June, Maryland’s largest school system — Montgomery County — announced they would conduct a detailed analysis of arrest data and the use of SROs before deciding in January 2021 whether they would modify or nix school policing entirely.
Alexandria City Public Schools approves revisions to contract with police|Hannah Natanson|October 30, 2020|Washington Post

Mixner himself went to then California Gov. Ronald Reagan to seek his support in nixing the Briggs Amendment.
Gay Activist David Mixner: I Mercy Killed 8 People|Tim Teeman|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
News of the nixing spread to every corner of the Internet, with bloggers and commenters expressing bewilderment at the decision.
Kristen Wiig on ‘Girl Most Likely’ and Why She Nixed ‘Bridesmaids 2’|Marlow Stern|July 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Nixing more bills, he effectively argues, is good for the government and, in effect, the people.
Romney Ad Spotlights His Vetoes and Labels Santorum a Washington Insider|The Daily Beast|February 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And she signed measures banning ethnic studies in public schools and nixing photo radar.
The Woman Immigrants Fear|Terry Greene Sterling|June 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for nix (1 of 2)

nix¹

/ (nɪks) US and Canadian informal /

sentence substitute

another word for no 1 (def. 1)

be careful! watch out!

noun

a rejection or refusal

nothing at all

verb

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

Word Origin for nix

C18: from German, colloquial form of nichts nothing

British Dictionary definitions for nix (2 of 2)

nix²

/ (nɪks) /

noun

German myth a male water sprite, usually unfriendly to humans

Word Origin for nix

C19: from German Nixe nymph or water spirit, from Old High German nihhus; related to Old English nicor sea monster

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

nix

Origin of nix

Other definitions for nix (2 of 2)

Origin of nix

Words related to nix

How to use nix in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nix (1 of 2)

Word Origin for nix

British Dictionary definitions for nix (2 of 2)

Word Origin for nix