Nicknaming: meaning, definitions and examples

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nicknaming

 

[ ˈnɪkˌneɪmɪŋ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

giving a name

Nicknaming is the act of giving someone or something a nickname, which is a familiar or informal name that is often used in place of their real name. Nicknames may reflect personality traits, physical characteristics, or unique stories about the individual.

Synonyms

alias, moniker, nickname

Examples of usage

  • Her nickname is 'Sunny' because of her cheerful demeanor.
  • They started nicknaming their friend based on his obsession with cats.
  • The team members were nicknaming each other during practice.
Context #2 | Verb

to give a name

To nickname someone or something is to assign a nickname to them. This often implies an affectionate or humorous intent and can strengthen social bonds.

Synonyms

claptrap, dub, label

Examples of usage

  • He loves nicknaming his pets with funny names.
  • They decided to nickname the new car 'Flash' due to its speed.
  • The kids were joyfully nicknaming their teacher.

Translations

Translations of the word "nicknaming" in other languages:

🇵🇹 apelidar

🇮🇳 उपनाम देना

🇩🇪 einen Spitznamen geben

🇮🇩 menyebutkan nama panggilan

🇺🇦 давання прізвиська

🇵🇱 nadać przezwisko

🇯🇵 ニックネームを付ける

🇫🇷 donner un surnom

🇪🇸 poner un apodo

🇹🇷 lakap vermek

🇰🇷 별명을 붙이다

🇸🇦 إعطاء لقب

🇨🇿 dát přezdívku

🇸🇰 dať prezývku

🇨🇳 给起昵称

🇸🇮 dati vzdevek

🇮🇸 gefa viðurnefni

🇰🇿 лақап беру

🇬🇪 უფლებების მიცემა

🇦🇿 təxəllüs vermək

🇲🇽 dar un apodo

Etymology

The term 'nickname' comes from the late Middle English term 'ekename', which means 'also name'. This word evolved from the Old English 'ēacan', meaning 'to increase or add', and 'nama', meaning 'name'. Over time, the initial 'e' was dropped, leading to the modern 'nickname'. Traditionally, nicknames were used among friends and family, often reflecting affection or camaraderie, and could also relate to a person's profession, character, or physical traits. The practice of nicknaming persists today across cultures, serving as a means of endearment, identity, and social connection.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,459, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.