Meaning

To squeeze a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt..

Definitions by Sense

1. To squeeze a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt.
2. To squeeze between the thumb and forefinger.
3. To squeeze between two objects.
4. (intransitive) Of clothing, to be uncomfortably tight in specific spots.
5. (slang, transitive) To steal, usually something inconsequential.
6. (slang, transitive) To arrest or capture.
7. (horticulture) To cut shoots or buds of a plant in order to shape the plant, or to improve its yield.
8. (nautical) To sail so close-hauled that the sails begin to flutter.

Example Sentences

The children were scolded for pinching each other.

This shoe pinches my foot.

He took the plate in his hand, holding it between thumb and forefinger at one corner, letting it hang down. With the other hand he pinched it at the opposite corner, pressing thumb and forefinger together tightly.

Since the resistance of the channel is inversely proportional to its width, the most resistive region is the one pinched between the gates where they come closest to each other.

With their jock-straps pinching, they slouch to attention While queueing for sarnies at the office canteen.

Someone has pinched my handkerchief!

“Hey, blokes,” yelled Dean or perhaps Serge, “let's pinch a boat.”

Then, as the Sunderland fans' cheers bellowed around the stadium, United's title bid was over when it became apparent City had pinched a last-gasp winner to seal their first title in 44 years.

Word Forms

• pinches
• pinching
• pinched

Synonyms for pinch

Related Words

When Should You Use Pinch?

Use pinch when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions