nickname
informal name for a person
A special name that people use for someone, not the person's real or official name.
[someone]'s nickname is [name]
- 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.
- 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?
give an informal name
To call someone or something by a special, informal name.
to nickname [someone/something] [name]
- 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."
- 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."
online or game username
A name you use on a website, app, or game instead of your real name.
[someone]'s nickname on [site/app] is [name]
- 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.
- 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.
- Base: nickname
- Plural: nicknames
earn the nickname
1receive a nickname for a reason
To get a special informal name because of something you do or how you are.
- He earned the nickname "Iron Man" after finishing three triathlons.
- The city earned the nickname "The Windy City" many years ago.
get the nickname
1start being called a nickname
To start being called by a special informal name.
- How did you get the nickname "Speedy"?
- She got the nickname in college after a funny accident.
go by the nickname
1be known by an informal name
To be known to people by a special informal name.
- 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
1possess an informal name
To be someone who people call by a special informal name.
- 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
1act in a way that fits nickname
To act in a way that shows that your special name is right for you.
- 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
1using a nickname instead of real name
Using an informal name instead of your real name in some situation.
- He wrote all his articles under the nickname "NightOwl."
- She streamed online under the nickname "SunnyDay."