Nickel

Pronunciation: /ˈnɪkəl/

Definitions of nickel

noun a hard, silvery-white metallic element used in alloys and as a coating for other metals

Example Sentences

A1 I found a nickel on the sidewalk.

A2 She used a nickel to pay for the candy.

B1 Nickels are made of a combination of metals.

B2 The vending machine only accepts quarters, not nickels.

C1 The nickel is part of the United States coin system.

C2 The nickel has a smooth edge and features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson.

Examples of nickel in a Sentence

formal The price of nickel has been steadily increasing due to high demand in the automotive industry.

informal I found a nickel on the ground while I was out for a walk.

slang I'm broke, all I have left is a nickel to my name.

figurative Her words were like a nickel, shiny on the surface but lacking real value.

Grammatical Forms of nickel

• past tense: nickelled
• plural: nickels
• comparative: more nickel
• superlative: most nickel
• present tense: nickels
• future tense: will nickel
• perfect tense: have nickelled
• continuous tense: is nickelling
• singular: nickel
• positive degree: nickel
• infinitive: to nickel
• gerund: nickelling
• participle: nickelling

Origin and Evolution of nickel

First Known Use: 1755 year

Language of Origin: German

Story behind the word: The word 'nickel' is derived from the German word 'kupfernickel', which means 'copper demon' or 'goblin'. This is because nickel ores were often mistaken for copper ores, but when smelted, they produced a substance that looked like copper but was not.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'nickel' came to specifically refer to the metallic element with the symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is commonly used in various alloys and is known for its resistance to corrosion.