a small amount of something that you can hold between your finger and thumb, for example salt
Synonyms and related words
Small amounts or pieces of something
bit
piece
fragment
2
the action of squeezing someone’s skin between your thumb and finger so that it hurts them
Synonyms and related words
The action or an instance of squeezing or pressing
squeeze
compression
nip
phrases
at a pinch
feel the pinch
pinch
noun countable
US /pɪntʃ/
Other entries for this word
pinchverb
pinch-hitverb
pinch penniesphrase
have to pinch yourselfphrase
take something with a grain/pinch of saltphrase
pinch-hitternoun at pinch-hitverb
pinch-hitternoun
Word Forms
singular
pinch
plural
pinches
DEFINITIONS2
1
a small amount of something that you can hold between your finger and thumb, for example salt
Synonyms and related words
Small amounts or pieces of something
bit
piece
fragment
2
the action of squeezing someone’s skin between your thumb and finger so that it hurts them
Synonyms and related words
The action or an instance of squeezing or pressing
squeeze
compression
nip
pinch
verb
UK /pɪntʃ/
Other entries for this word
pinchnoun
at a pinchphrase
feel the pinchphrase
have to pinch yourselfphrase
take something with a pinch of saltphrase
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
pinch
he/she/it
pinches
present participle
pinching
past tense
pinched
past participle
pinched
DEFINITIONS4
1
transitive to squeeze someone’s skin between your thumb and finger so that it hurts them
Rogerpinched my arm.
Synonyms and related words
To injure yourself or someone else
injure
harm
wound
2
intransitive/transitive if shoes or clothes pinch, they hurt you because they fit too tightly
Synonyms and related words
To feel or cause physical pain and suffering
suffer
hurt
ache
3
transitive Britishinformalto steal something
Synonyms and related words
To steal, or steal something
steal
walk off with
rob
4
intransitive/transitive when using a touch screen, to bring your index finger and thumb together or move them apart in order to make things on the screen larger or smaller
To zoom in to the picture, touch the screen with your finger and thumb and pinch them apart.
Synonyms and related words
To use or program a computer
access
archive
back up
phrases
have to pinch yourself
pinch
verb
US /pɪntʃ/
Other entries for this word
pinchnoun
pinch-hitverb
pinch penniesphrase
have to pinch yourselfphrase
take something with a grain/pinch of saltphrase
pinch-hitternoun at pinch-hitverb
pinch-hitternoun
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
pinch
he/she/it
pinches
present participle
pinching
past tense
pinched
past participle
pinched
DEFINITIONS4
1
transitive to squeeze someone’s skin between your thumb and finger so that it hurts them
Rogerpinched my arm.
Synonyms and related words
To injure yourself or someone else
injure
harm
wound
2
intransitive/transitive if shoes or clothes pinch, they hurt you because they fit too tightly
Synonyms and related words
To feel or cause physical pain and suffering
suffer
hurt
ache
3
transitive Britishinformalto steal something
Synonyms and related words
To steal, or steal something
steal
walk off with
rob
4
intransitive/transitive when using a touch screen, to bring your index finger and thumb together or move them apart in order to make things on the screen larger or smaller
To zoom in to the picture, touch the screen with your finger and thumb and pinch them apart.