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Knick vs. Nick: Mastering the Correct Spelling

Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on March 14, 2024
"Knick" is incorrect; the correct spelling is "Nick," referring to a small cut or notch or a given name.

Which is correct: Knick or Nick

How to spell Nick?

Knick is Incorrect

Nick is Correct

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Key Differences

Knowing someone named Nick can reinforce the correct spelling.
“Nick” is simpler and shorter, lacking the extraneous ‘k.’
The word "nickname" starts with "nick," helping recall the correct spelling.
Visualizing the word “Nick” correctly spelled can help remember it.
Remember, “Knick” has an unnecessary ‘K’; “Nick” is the correct spelling.
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Correct usage of Nick

The table had several knicks after years of use.
The table had several nicks after years of use.
The painter found a knick in the canvas before starting.
The painter found a nick in the canvas before starting.
He got a knick on his phone screen from dropping it.
He got a nick on his phone screen from dropping it.
He felt a knick on his chin after shaving.
He felt a nick on his chin after shaving.
She noticed a knick in the edge of her favorite coffee cup.
She noticed a nick in the edge of her favorite coffee cup.

Nick Definitions

A small cut or notch.
He has a nick on his chin from shaving.
A diminutive of the given name Nicholas.
Nick is a common first name.
To cut slightly or superficially.
Be careful not to nick yourself while peeling the apple.
A specific point of time, as in "in the nick of time."
They arrived in the nick of time.
The condition of being in good or sound health, as in "in good nick."
The antique table is still in good nick.
A shallow notch, cut, or indentation on an edge or a surface
Nicks in the table.
Razor nicks on his chin.
Chiefly British Slang A prison or police station.
(Printing) A groove down the side of a piece of type used to ensure that it is correctly placed.
To cut a nick or notch in.
To cut into and wound slightly
A sliver of glass nicked my hand.
To cut short; check
Nicked an impulse to flee.
(Slang) To cheat, especially by overcharging.
To steal.
To arrest.
A small cut in a surface.
A particular place or point considered as marked by a nick; the exact point or critical moment.
In the nick of time
A notch cut crosswise in the shank of a type, to assist a compositor in placing it properly in the stick, and in distribution.
Senses connoting something small.
(cricket) A small deflection of the ball off the edge of the bat, often going to the wicket-keeper for a catch.
(genetics) One of the single-stranded DNA segments produced during nick translation.
The point where the wall of the court meets the floor.
Often in the expressions in bad nick and in good nick: condition, state.
The car I bought was cheap and in good nick.
A police station or prison.
He was arrested and taken down to Sun Hill nick [police station] to be charged.
He’s just been released from Shadwell nick [prison] after doing ten years for attempted murder.
(Internet) nickname
A user’s reserved nick on an IRC network
(archaic) A nix or water]] spirit.
(transitive) To make a nick or notch in; to cut or scratch in a minor way.
I nicked myself while I was shaving.
(transitive) To make ragged or uneven, as by cutting nicks or notches in; to deface, to mar.
To make a crosscut or cuts on the underside of (the tail of a horse, in order to make the animal carry it higher).
To fit into or suit, as by a correspondence of nicks; to tally with.
To hit at, or in, the nick; to touch rightly; to strike at the precise point or time.
To hit the ball with the edge of the bat and produce a fine deflection.
To throw or turn up (a number when playing dice); to hit upon.
To make a cut at the side of the face.
To give or call (someone) by a nickname; to style.
An evil spirit of the waters.
A notch cut into something
A broken or indented place in any edge or surface; as, nicks in a china plate; a nick in the table top.
A particular point or place considered as marked by a nick; the exact point or critical moment.
To cut it off in the very nick.
This nick of time is the critical occasion for the gaining of a point.
To make a nick or nicks in; to notch; to keep count of or upon by nicks; as, to nick a stick, tally, etc.
To mar; to deface; to make ragged, as by cutting nicks or notches in; to create a nick{2} in, deliberately or accidentally; as, to nick the rim of a teacup.
And thence proceed to nicking sashes.
The itch of his affection should not thenHave nicked his captainship.
To suit or fit into, as by a correspondence of nicks; to tally with.
Words nicking and resembling one another are applicable to different significations.
To make a cross cut or cuts on the under side of (the tail of a horse, in order to make him carry it higher).
To nickname; to style.
For Warbeck, as you nick him, came to me.
An impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
A small cut
Cut slightly, with a razor;
The barber's knife nicked his cheek
Cut a nick into
Divide or reset the tail muscles of;
Nick horses
Mate successfully; of livestock

Nick Sentences

He noticed a nick in the paint of his car after parking it downtown.
The nick in the gemstone reduced its value significantly.
She felt a slight nick on her finger while slicing vegetables.
The nick on the old coin made it unique among others.
The mirror had a small nick on the edge, but it was hardly noticeable.
Careful not to nick the surface, she placed the glass down gently.
He polished his shoes carefully to cover up a nick on the heel.
A nick in the lens of his glasses annoyed him until he could replace them.
The craftsman filled in a nick on the wooden table to restore its beauty.
The nick in the vinyl record affected its playback quality.
After the move, he discovered a nick in the frame of his artwork.
She repaired the nick in her nail polish before going out.
The nick in the guitar's finish told of its use in countless performances.
The nick on the edge of the smartphone screen was a reminder to be more careful.
The child was proud of the nick on his toy, a badge of its adventures.
Her watch had a tiny nick on the face, but it still worked perfectly.
A nick in the door's paint needed touching up after the move.
The slight nick in the ceramic vase was a flaw that added character.
A small nick in the paper didn't stop her from using it for her art project.
His favorite mug had a nick, but it only made him cherish it more.

Nick Idioms & Phrases

A nick in time

A precise moment; an exact point in time.
The historical event occurred at a nick in time crucial for the country's future.

Nick and dime

To charge for every little thing, often annoyingly so.
The hotel seemed to nick and dime us for every service.

In the nick of time

Just at the critical moment, barely in time.
She arrived in the nick of time to catch her flight.

Out of the nick

To escape from a difficult situation or from jail.
After months of planning, he was finally out of the nick.

To nick something

To steal or take something, usually in a minor or sneaky way.
Someone nicked my pen when I wasn't looking.

Get into a nick

To become fit or in good physical condition.
He got into a nick after months of training at the gym.

FAQs

Why is it called Nick?

"Nick" could refer to a name, originating from Nicholas, or a small cut, possibly from its likeness to making notches or "nicks" in wood or other materials.

Which vowel is used before Nick?

"A" can be used before "nick" (a nick).

What is the verb form of Nick?

To nick (meaning to make a small cut).

What is the plural form of Nick?

Nicks

Which preposition is used with Nick?

“In” as in “in the nick of time.”

Which conjunction is used with Nick?

Any conjunction can be used, depending on the sentence structure.

What is the root word of Nick?

For the name, it is derived from Nicholas; for the cut or notch, it has uncertain origins.

Is Nick a negative or positive word?

Nick is neutral; it can be either positive, negative, or neutral depending on the context.

What is the pronunciation of Nick?

/nɪk/

Is Nick a noun or adjective?

Nick is primarily a noun but can also be a verb as in to nick something.

Is Nick an adverb?

No, Nick is not an adverb.

What is the opposite of Nick?

There isn’t a direct opposite for "Nick."

Which determiner is used with Nick?

“A” or “the” can be used as determiners with "Nick."

What is the third form of Nick?

Nicked (when used as a verb).

What is the singular form of Nick?

Nick

Which article is used with Nick?

"A" or "the" can be used with Nick, depending on the context.

Is Nick a countable noun?

Yes, when referring to a cut or notch, "nick" is a countable noun.

Is the word Nick imperative?

No, "Nick" is not typically used as an imperative verb.

Is Nick an abstract noun?

No, Nick is not an abstract noun.

How many syllables are in Nick?

Nick has one syllable.

How do we divide Nick into syllables?

Nick is a one-syllable word; it doesn’t divide into syllables.

What is the second form of Nick?

Nicked (when used as a verb).

Is Nick a vowel or consonant?

"Nick" is a word that contains both vowels and consonants.

Is Nick a collective noun?

No, Nick is not a collective noun.

What is another term for Nick?

Another term for Nick could be “notch” when referring to a small cut, or “Nicholas” when referring to the name.

How is Nick used in a sentence?

"I managed to nick myself while shaving this morning."

Is the Nick term a metaphor?

It can be used metaphorically, such as “in the nick of time,” meaning just in time.

What is a stressed syllable in Nick?

The entire word "Nick" is stressed as it has only one syllable.

What part of speech is Nick?

Nick is a noun or a verb depending on its use.

What is the first form of Nick?

To nick (when used as a verb).
About Author
Written by
Janet White
Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie Carlson
Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.

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