nickname

nick-name · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A familiar or humorous name given to a person instead of or as well as their real name.

  2. 2.

    To give a nickname to someone or something.

  3. 3.

    An informal name for something.

Forms

plural: nicknames

Related words

See also: alias, name, title
Synonyms: alias, moniker, pet name

Etymology

From Middle English ekename ("an additional name"), from eke ("also, in addition") + name. The "n" was transferred from "an ekename" to "a nekename," which became "nickname" through reanalysis.