nickname
gb/nˈɪknˌeɪm/ us/nˈɪknˌeɪm/
A2
Anglais
~ 7200
Sens
0 sens
unknown
A2
entity
1
informal name for a person
A special name that people use for someone, not the person's real or official name.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone]'s nickname is [name]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse "nickname" with "surname" or "last name." A nickname is an extra, informal name, while a surname is a part of your official name. Another mistake is saying *"He is nickname Tom"* instead of *"His nickname is Tom"*.
Synonymes
pet name (Often sounds more affectionate or romantic, especially between partners or close family.)
|
moniker (Informal and slightly playful; can sound more journalistic or stylish than everyday speech.)
Antonymes
real name (Refers to a person's official or usual name, not an informal or extra name.)
Collocations
childhood nickname
|school nickname
|family nickname
|cute nickname
|rude nickname
|earn a nickname
Thèmes
identity
|relationships
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- His nickname at school was "Shorty" because he was the smallest in the class.
- Everyone knows her by her nickname, but very few people remember her full name.
- The player’s nickname, "The Wall," comes from his amazing defense.
- My grandfather’s nickname was "Red" because of his bright hair.
- She hates the nickname her brothers gave her when she was a child.
Exemples pédagogiques
- My nickname is "Mimi" at home.
- His friends gave him the nickname "Smiley."
- People at work use her nickname, not her full name.
- He does not like his nickname.
- What is your nickname in your family?
unknown
B1
action
2
give an informal name
To call someone or something by a special, informal name.
Schéma d’usage :
to nickname [someone/something] [name]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes add an extra preposition and say *"nickname someone as 'X'"* or *"nickname to someone 'X'"*. The usual pattern is *"nickname someone 'X'"* or *"someone is nicknamed 'X'"*. Another mistake is using the verb instead of the noun, as in *"His nickname him 'Tom'"* instead of *"His friends nickname him 'Tom'"*.
Synonymes
call (Very general; can mean any way of addressing someone, not only giving an informal extra name.)
|
dub (More formal or journalistic; often used when people or the media give a new or famous name to someone.)
Antonymes
rename (Means to change a person's or thing's actual name, not just give an extra informal name.)
Collocations
be nicknamed [name]
|nicknamed after [someone/something]
|fans nicknamed him [name]
|the press nicknamed her [name]
Thèmes
identity
|communication
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- His teammates nicknamed him "Rocket" because of his speed.
- The city was nicknamed "The Big Smoke" in the nineteenth century.
- Her parents nicknamed the baby "Pumpkin" before she was born.
- The media quickly nicknamed the scandal "Emailgate."
- Fans nicknamed the old stadium "The Fortress."
Exemples pédagogiques
- They nicknamed their dog "Buddy."
- His friends nicknamed him "Genius" after the test.
- The class nicknamed the new teacher "Mr. Cool."
- The city was nicknamed "Little Paris."
- We nicknamed our car "Blue Bird."
unknown
B1
entity
3
online or game username
A name you use on a website, app, or game instead of your real name.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone]'s nickname on [site/app] is [name]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse "nickname" with "password" on websites. A nickname is a public name shown to other users, while a password must be kept secret. Another mistake is thinking an online nickname must be funny; it can be any name the system accepts.
Synonymes
username (More technical and common in website forms; does not always sound playful or informal.)
|
handle (Informal; often used for social media, radio, or gaming identities.)
Antonymes
real name (The user's actual personal name, not the name they use on the service.)
Collocations
online nickname
|choose a nickname
|forum nickname
|chat nickname
|game nickname
|login nickname
Thèmes
internet
|technology
|gaming
|communication
|daily_life
Exemples
- Please enter your nickname and password to log in.
- Her nickname on the gaming site is "StarRider99."
- In this chat room, everyone uses a nickname instead of their real name.
- The app would not accept my nickname because it was already taken.
- He changed his nickname on the forum after people kept confusing him with another user.
Exemples pédagogiques
- You need a nickname to join the chat.
- My nickname in this game is "BlueCat."
- On this website, your nickname is public.
- I use a different nickname on every app.
- Her nickname on the forum is very funny.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
nickname
API
GB/nˈɪknˌeɪm/
US/nˈɪknˌeɪm/
Syllabes et accentuation
nick - name (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (nick)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: nickname
- Plural: nicknames
Famille de mots
Expressions
earn the nickname
1/ˈɚn ðə nˈɪknˌeɪm/
fixed phrase
receive a nickname for a reason
To get a special informal name because of something you do or how you are.
Exemples
- He earned the nickname "Iron Man" after finishing three triathlons.
- The city earned the nickname "The Windy City" many years ago.
get the nickname
1/ɡˈɛt ðə nˈɪknˌeɪm/
fixed phrase
informal
start being called a nickname
To start being called by a special informal name.
Exemples
- How did you get the nickname "Speedy"?
- She got the nickname in college after a funny accident.
go by the nickname
1/ɡˈoʊ bˈaɪ ðə nˈɪknˌeɪm/
fixed phrase
be known by an informal name
To be known to people by a special informal name.
Exemples
- He goes by the nickname "Max" at work.
- She prefers to go by the nickname her friends gave her.
- Online he goes by the nickname "CodeWizard."
have the nickname
1/hˈæv ðə nˈɪknˌeɪm/
fixed phrase
possess an informal name
To be someone who people call by a special informal name.
Exemples
- He has the nickname "Doc" because he is a doctor.
- Several players on the team have the nickname "Junior."
live up to one's nickname
1/lˈɪv ˈʌp tə wˈʌnz nˈɪknˌeɪm/
idiom
act in a way that fits nickname
To act in a way that shows that your special name is right for you.
Exemples
- The goalkeeper really lived up to his nickname "The Wall" in yesterday's match.
- She lived up to her nickname "Fixer" by solving the problem in ten minutes.
under the nickname
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə nˈɪknˌeɪm/
fixed phrase
using a nickname instead of real name
Using an informal name instead of your real name in some situation.
Exemples
- He wrote all his articles under the nickname "NightOwl."
- She streamed online under the nickname "SunnyDay."