notch

Meaning

Noun

1. A V-shaped cut.
2. A V-shaped cut.
3. An indentation.
4. A mountain pass; a defile.
5. (slang) The female primary sex organ, vulva.
6. (US, slang) A woman.
7. A discontinuous change in a taxation schedule.
8. (informal) A level or degree.
9. A portion of a mobile phone that overlaps the edge of the screen, used to house a camera, sensors etc. while maximizing screen space.

Verb

1. (transitive) To cut a notch in (something).
2. (transitive) To record (a score or similar) by making notches on something.
3. (transitive) To join by means of notches.
4. (informal, transitive) To achieve (something); to add to one's score or record of successes.
5. (transitive) Synonym of nock (“to fit (an arrow) to a bow”).

Synonyms

nick

cut

incision

groove

score

chip

dent

gap

mark

indentation

pass

indent

carve

jag

col

gash

breach

mountain pass

break

recess

defile

scar

cove

tooth

🦷

narrow pass

furrow

rift

slit

nock

jog

marking

slot

indenture

inscribe

dap

cutting

channel

end

🔚

incisure

snick

curl

crenelate

creek

breakup

bend

count

🔢

conclusion

hash

#️⃣

gulch

cog

Translations

Kerbe

tacca

Einschnitt

muesca

encoche

kerf

intaccatura

entaille

keep

osca

Engpass

entailler

oscar

εγκοπή

Pronounced as (IPA)

/nɒtʃ/

Etymology

Cognate with French: hocher

Cognate with English: nick

In summary

Recorded since 1577, probably a rebracketing of an otch, from Middle French oche (“notch”), itself from the Old French verb ochier (“to notch”), of uncertain origin, but possibly related to French hocher and English nick (“small cut, notch”).