notch

1 of 2

noun

ˈnäch 

1

a

: a V-shaped indentation

b

: a slit made to serve as a record

c

: a rounded indentation cut into the pages of a book on the edge opposite the spine

2

: a deep close pass : gap

3

: degree, step

notched

ˈnächt 

adjective

notch

2 of 2

verb

notched; notching; notches

transitive verb

1

: to cut or make a notch in

2

a

: to mark or record by a notch

b

: score, achieve

—sometimes used with up

Did you know?

Occasionally, you might hear a child ask for a "napple," as in "I would like a napple," mistaking the phrase "an apple" for "a napple." A similar error is believed to be behind notch, which may have resulted from a misdivision of "an otch." (Otch is a noun that is assumed to have existed in earlier English as a borrowing of Middle French oche, meaning "an incision made to keep a record.") Notch would not be alone in developing from such a mistake. The words newt and nickname were formed, respectively, from misdivisions of "an ewte" and "an ekename." Going in the other direction, umpire first appears in Middle English as oumpere, a mistaken rendering of "a noumpere."

Synonyms

Noun

• chip
• hack
• indent
• indentation
• indenture
• kerf
• nick

Verb

• achieve
• attain
• bag
• chalk up
• clock (up) [chiefly British]
• gain
• hit
• log
• make
• rack up
• ring up
• score
• win

Examples of notch in a Sentence

Noun

Cut small notches at the corners of the fabric.

The tool has a notch for prying out nails.

The town is on the other side of the notch.

They turned the volume up several notches.

Verb

Notch the ends so that they fit together.

He notched his fifth victory this year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Keep it simple with a classic paprika garnish or take it up a notch with one of our other deviled egg recipes that play with different flavors and fun garnishes. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 May 2025

Wolverine, the 142-year-old workwear brand trusted by generations of tradespeople, is kicking things up a notch with their newest partnership with country music star Jordan Davis. —Quincy Green, Billboard, 7 May 2025

Verb

All three primary barometers of the U.S. stock market surged to multi week highs, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit its highest level since April 2, the S&P 500 notched its top price since March 27 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq touched its highest level since March 26. —Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Then, in 2024, the wider art market cooled — notching about $10 billion less in sales than its pandemic high — and younger artists were hit particularly hard. —Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps alteration (from misdivision of an otch) of *otch, from Middle French oche

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing notch

• top-notch

Rhymes for notch

• boche
• botch
• brough
• crotch
• gotch
• rotch
• scotch
• swatch
• watch
• butterscotch
• hopscotch
• stopwatch

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Kids Definition

notch

1 of 2 noun

ˈnäch 

1

: a cut in the shape of a V in an edge or surface

2

: a narrow pass between mountains : gap

3

: degree sense 1, step

turn the radio up a notch

notch

2 of 2 verb

1

: to cut or make a notch in

2

a

: to mark or record by a notch

b

: achieve sense 2, score

Medical Definition

notch

noun

ˈnäch 

: a V-shaped indentation (as on a bone)

notched

ˈnächt 

adjective