notch
noun · verb
Simple meaning
A small V-shaped cut in an edge, or one level on a scale.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
nahchIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈnɑtʃ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
A V-shaped or U-shaped indentation carved or scratched into a surface
“There were four notches in the handle of his revolver.”
Such a cut, used for keeping a record.
A V-shaped cut.
informal
A level or degree.
A small cut
A mountain pass; a defile.
verb
transitive
To join by means of notches.
transitive
To change in small graduations.
transitiveinformal
To achieve (something); to add to one's score or record of successes.
Cut or make a notch into
Notch a surface to record something
transitive
To record (a score or similar) by making notches on something.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B2 · Upper Intermediate (estimated)
- Frequency
- Moderately Common
- Typical Use
- Neutral / general English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A V-shaped or U-shaped indentation carved or scratched into a surface
Used this way, notch is a common word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
“There were four notches in the handle of his revolver.”
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Usage note
It most often appears in the pattern “notch in …”, which is worth copying when you use it.
Natural pattern: notch in …
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use notch
- “There were four notches in the handle of his revolver.”noun
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Similar Words, What’s the Difference?
Close in meaning, but not always interchangeable.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
Small indentation in the middle of the lower jawbone.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: to join by means of notches
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.