Pinch Definition & Meaning

pinch
noun
  1. a painful or straitened circumstance; "the pinch of the recession"
  2. an injury resulting from getting some body part squeezed
  3. a slight but appreciable amount; "this dish could use a touch of garlic"
  4. a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action; "he never knew what to do in an emergency"
  5. a small sharp bite or snip
  6. a squeeze with the fingers
  7. the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal); "the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar"
verb
  1. squeeze tightly between the fingers; "He pinched her behind"; "She squeezed the bottle"
  2. make ridges into by pinching together
  3. make off with belongings of others
  4. cut the top off; "top trees and bushes"
  5. irritate as if by a nip, pinch, or tear; "smooth surfaces can vellicate the teeth"; "the pain is as if sharp points pinch your back"

Synonyms for pinch

abstract adj

existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
apprehension noun

fearful expectation or anticipation; "the student looked around the examination room with apprehension" the cognitive

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
arrest noun

the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
cabbage noun

any of various types of cabbage informal terms for money any of various cultivars of the genus Brassica oleracea grown

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
catch noun

a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
collar noun

a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over (zoology) an encircling band or marking around the neck of

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
crimp noun

an angular or rounded shape made by folding; "a fold in the napkin"; "a crease in his trousers

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
emergency noun

a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action

♫ Rhymes
exigency noun

a pressing or urgent situation; "the health-care exigency" a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that

♫ Rhymes
filch verb

make off with belongings of others

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms

"Pinch" in song lyrics

See how pinch is used in real songs:

  • "Not a routine friend in a pinch"
    Aesop Rock f/ John Danielle — Coffee
  • "Our fitness- our business has grown in a pinch"
    Da T.R.U.T.H. — Legacy
  • "And then you wonder how I get this urge to pinch"
    King Sun — Be Black

Words that rhyme with pinch

See all rhymes for pinch →

Usage tips for "pinch"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "pinch" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for pinch to find words that pair well.

Use "pinch" in a verse

Now that you know what "pinch" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Explore more

♫ Rhymes with pinch ↔ Synonyms for pinch 🔬 Words containing pinch

Frequently asked questions

What does pinch mean?
a painful or straitened circumstance; "the pinch of the recession" an injury resulting from getting some body part squeezed a slight but appreciable amount; "this dish could use a touch of garlic" a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action; "he never knew what to do in an emergency" a small sharp bite or snip a squeeze with the fingers the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
What part of speech is pinch?
Pinch is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does pinch have?
Pinch has 12 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

Explore More Word Tools

Look up another word