Pronunciation: /pɪntʃ/

Definitions of pinch

noun a painful or sharp sensation typically caused by something being squeezed or compressed

Example Sentences

A1 I felt a pinch in my arm.

A2 She gave me a pinch to wake me up.

B1 He added a pinch of salt to the soup for flavor.

B2 The chef's secret ingredient was a pinch of cinnamon.

C1 The pinch of the economic crisis was felt by all sectors.

C2 She managed to win the race by a pinch, crossing the finish line just ahead of her competitor.

verb to steal something, typically in a quick and secretive manner

Example Sentences

A1 I pinch my sister when she annoys me.

A2 She pinched her arm to see if it was a dream.

B1 He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

B2 The chef pinched some salt into the soup for extra flavor.

C1 The tailor pinched the fabric to check its quality.

C2 She pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

Examples of pinch in a Sentence

formal She added a pinch of salt to the soup for extra flavor.

informal Can you pass me the salt? I just need a pinch for my dish.

slang I'll just add a pinch of this secret ingredient to make it pop.

figurative He felt a pinch in his heart when he saw his childhood home being torn down.

Grammatical Forms of pinch

past tense

pinched

plural

pinches

comparative

more pinch

superlative

most pinch

present tense

pinch

future tense

will pinch

perfect tense

have pinched

continuous tense

is pinching

singular

pinch

positive degree

pinch

infinitive

to pinch

gerund

pinching

participle

pinching

Origin and Evolution of pinch

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'pinch' originated from Old English 'pincian' meaning to squeeze or nip.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'pinch' has retained its original meaning of squeezing or nipping, but has also taken on additional connotations such as stealing or being in a tight situation.