notch

[noch]

noun

1. an angular or V -shaped cut, indentation, or slit in an object, surface, or edge.

2. a cut or nick made in a stick or other object for record, as in keeping a tally.

3. New England and Upstate New York.,  a deep, narrow opening or pass between mountains; gap; defile.

4. Informal.,  a step, degree, or grade.

   This camera is a notch better than the other.

5. Metallurgy.,  a taphole in a blast furnace.

   iron notch; cinder notch.

verb (used with object)

1. to cut or make a notch in.

2. to record by notches.

   He notched each kill on the stick.

3. to score, as in a game.

   He notched another win.

notch

/ nɒtʃ /

noun

1. a V-shaped cut or indentation; nick

2. a cut or nick made in a tally stick or similar object

3. a narrow pass or gorge

4. informal,  a step or level (esp in the phrase a notch above )

verb

1. to cut or make a notch in

2. to record with or as if with a notch

3. informal,  (usually foll by up) to score or achieve

   the team notched up its fourth win

Other Word Forms

• notchy adjective
• unnotched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of notch¹

1570–80; a notch (by false division) for an *otch < Old French oche notch

Word History and Origins

Origin of notch¹

C16: from incorrect division of an otch (as a notch ), from Old French oche notch, from Latin obsecāre to cut off, from secāre to cut

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. notch up / down, to move up or down or increase or decrease by notches or degrees.

   The temperature has notched up another degree.

see take down a notch.

Example Sentences

For me, it’s an awesome experience to have, to have as a notch on my belt that I’ve played with both of them.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ironically, Maranello’s sound machines have had to take it down a notch.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So every year it’s like you’ve made it up another notch.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Dow Jones Industrial Average notched its 12th record close of the year, gaining 0.5%.

Read more on Barron's

This win is an important hurdle to overcome, one which should serve them well with the pressure cooker turning up a notch from now on.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• rung