PINCH
What does "PINCH" mean?
To squeeze something tightly between finger and thumb, or a small amount so held.
Meanings
- To grip and squeeze a small amount of skin or material between thumb and finger. The new shoes pinched her toes all afternoon.
- A small quantity that can be held between thumb and forefinger. Add a pinch of salt to the dough.
- A difficult or tight situation; a moment of need. In a pinch, you can substitute yogurt for sour cream. informal
- To steal, in informal British usage. Someone pinched my umbrella from the hallway. informal
Word origin
From Anglo-Norman 'pincher' and Old North French 'pinchier' (to pinch, nip), of uncertain ultimate origin, possibly imitative or Germanic.
Remember it
PINCH ends in '-NCH' like CLINCH and CLENCH - all tight, gripping squeezes.
A little poem
A pinch of salt falls-
the whole pot's flavor wakes up
from one small cruelty.
haiku
Wordplay
- I told the cook I was in a pinch. He handed me some salt and said it was the only one he could spare.
What it teaches
The smallest measure - a pinch - is often what decides the whole result.
Quick facts
What does PINCH mean?
To squeeze something tightly between finger and thumb, or a small amount so held.
Is PINCH a valid word?
Yes — PINCH is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is PINCH?
PINCH has 5 letters and 1 syllable.
Where does PINCH come from?
From Anglo-Norman 'pincher' and Old North French 'pinchier' (to pinch, nip), of uncertain ultimate origin, possibly imitative or Germanic.
What can PINCH teach us?
The smallest measure - a pinch - is often what decides the whole result.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.