Nickel — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈni-kəl/ nick·el

Meaning & Definition of Nickel

Nickel (noun)

  1. a silver-white hard malleable ductile metallic element capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion that is used chiefly in alloys and as a catalyst
  2. the U.S. 5-cent piece regularly containing 25 percent nickel and 75 percent copper
  3. the Canadian 5-cent piece

Nickel (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in petty, small-time

    similar: paltry, petty, small-time, worthless, jerkwater, one-horse, anonymous, nameless, obscure, uncelebrated, unknown, fiddling, foolish, frivolous, incidental, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, Mickey Mouse, minor, minute, negligible, nugatory, slight, small, small-fry, trifling, trivial, unimportant
    opposite: big, consequential, eventful, important, major, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, unfrivolous, weighty, decisive, fatal, fateful, chief, dominant, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, principal, distinctive, exceptional, impressive, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, valuable, worthwhile, worthy, distinguished, eminent, great, illustrious, preeminent, prestigious, famous, notorious, renowned, all-important, basic, essential, fundamental, key

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Nickel

The most common words with a similar meaning to Nickel:

paltry, petty, small-time, worthless, jerkwater, one-horse, anonymous, nameless, obscure, uncelebrated, unknown, fiddling, foolish, frivolous, incidental, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, Mickey Mouse, minor, minute, negligible, nugatory, slight, small, small-fry, trifling, trivial, unimportant

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Nickel

Words with the opposite meaning of Nickel:

big, consequential, eventful, important, major, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, unfrivolous, weighty, decisive, fatal, fateful, chief, dominant, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, principal, distinctive, exceptional, impressive, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, valuable, worthwhile, worthy

Origin & Etymology of Nickel

probably from Swedish nickel, from German Kupfernickel niccolite (mineral containing nickel arsenide), probably from Kupfer copper + Nickel goblin; from the deceptive copper color of niccolite

First known use: 1755

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Nickel

Words & Phrases Containing Nickel

nickel-and-dime, nickel silver

Frequently Asked Questions about Nickel

What does "Nickel" mean?

"Nickel" means a silver-white hard malleable ductile metallic element capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion that is used chiefly in alloys and as a catalyst. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a silver-white hard malleable ductile metallic element capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion that is used chiefly in alloys and as a catalyst.

What is another word for "Nickel"?

Other words for "Nickel" include paltry, petty, small-time, worthless, jerkwater, one-horse, anonymous and nameless. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nickel" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nickel"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nickel". Common alternatives include paltry, petty, small-time, worthless, jerkwater, one-horse, anonymous, nameless, obscure and uncelebrated.

What is the opposite of "Nickel"?

Antonyms of "Nickel" include big, consequential, eventful, important, major, material, meaningful and momentous.

Is "Nickel" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Nickel" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Nickel" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Nickel" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Nickel"?

"Nickel" is pronounced /ˈni-kəl/ and divided into syllables as nick·el.

What is the origin of the word "Nickel"?

"Nickel" comes from probably from Swedish nickel, from German Kupfernickel niccolite (mineral containing nickel arsenide), probably from Kupfer copper + Nickel goblin; from the deceptive copper color of niccolite. First known use: 1755.