Pinch Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pinch

[pɪntʃ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

cooking

A pinch is the small amount of an ingredient that you can hold between your thumb and first finger.

Synonyms

dash, smidge, smidgen.

Examples of usage

I added a pinch of salt to the soup.
She sprinkled a pinch of pepper into the sauce.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

hurt

If something pinches you, it squeezes or presses your skin tightly between a hard surface and a bone.

Synonyms

compress, nip, squeeze.

Examples of usage

The new shoes were pinching his toes.
She pinched her arm to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'pinch'

The word 'pinch' has its origins in the Old English word 'pinċan', meaning to prick or sting. Over time, its meanings have expanded to include both a small amount of an ingredient and the act of squeezing or pressing tightly. The word has been used in English for centuries, evolving to encompass various contexts and nuances.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,904, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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