nick

/nɪk/
noun
  1. A small cut or notch on a surface or edge.
    • There was a small nick on the kitchen counter from the knife.
    • The car's paint had a tiny nick near the door handle.
    • He noticed a nick in the blade of his favorite pocketknife.
  2. A short, sharp sound, like a click or tap.
    • I heard the nick of a key turning in the lock.
    • The only sound was the nick of a stone hitting the window.
    • The clock made a soft nick as it struck the hour.
  3. A prison or police station (informal, British).
    • The thief was taken to the nick for questioning.
    • They warned him he'd end up in the nick if he kept stealing.
    • He spent a night in the nick after the misunderstanding.
Synonyms
verb
  1. To make a small cut or notch in something.
    • The gardener nicked the branch to help it grow straight.
    • Be careful not to nick the table when you cut the paper.
    • He nicked his chin while shaving this morning.
  2. To steal something (informal, British).
    • She nicked a cookie from the jar when no one was looking.
    • Someone nicked my bicycle from the front yard.
    • They caught him trying to nick a wallet from the store.
  3. To arrest someone (informal, British).
    • They nicked the whole gang after the robbery.
    • The police nicked the suspect near the train station.
    • He was nicked for driving without a license.
Synonyms