Meaning & use
notches
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“notches” is a form of “notch”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Small V-shaped or square cuts made in the edge or surface of something.
Grammar: Plural of notch: three notches in the stick.
Patterns
- notches in something
- notches on something
He cut notches in the post to mark how tall each child had grown.
The belt has several notches so you can adjust the fit.
Notches along the edge of the board hold the shelf in place.
nounpluralinformalfigurative
Steps or levels on a scale, used to show how much better, higher or worse something has become.
Grammar: Often follows a number or a comparative idea: a few notches higher.
Patterns
- a few notches above something
- move up a few notches
The new coach took the team several notches higher in the rankings.
Her cooking is a couple of notches better than the restaurant's.
Turn the thermostat down two notches.
verbtransitiveinformal
Marks, scores or achieves something, especially a win or a point, as if adding it to a tally.
Grammar: Third person singular of notch, takes an object: she notches another win.
Patterns
- someone notches something
- notch something up
The striker notches his second goal of the week.
She notches a promotion every few years.
The film notches another award on its busy tour.
Word forms
| singular | notch |
|---|
Common combinations
- cut notches
- The carpenter cut notches where the beams would meet.
- tighten by a few notches
- She tightened her belt by a few notches after losing weight.
- several notches above
- The hotel is several notches above the one we stayed in last year.
- notches on a belt
- The strap has five notches on it for different sizes.
- notches up victories
- The team notches up victories at home more often than away.
Synonyms and how they differ
- nicks
- Nicks are small accidental cuts, while notches are usually made on purpose and often serve a function.
- grooves
- Grooves are long channels, whereas notches are short cuts at an edge.
- levels
- Levels is a neutral word for steps on a scale, but notches sounds more casual and suggests small increments.
Word family
Commonly confused: notches or nooks?
notches vs nooks
Nooks are small hidden or sheltered corners, not cuts or steps on a scale.
Practice
After the renovation, the apartment was several ___ above anything else in the neighborhood.
Choose one answer.
Several notches above is a fixed way of saying much better in level. Nooks, knots and nicks do not work in this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “notches”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.