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British English 1 min read Published January 2025 10 learners asked about this

What does "nicked" mean?

Two meanings:1. Stolen:"Someone nicked my bike." (stole my bike)"My wallet's been nicked." (stolen)"Who nicked the last biscuit?"2. Arrested:"He got nicked for speeding." (arrested or caught by police)"She was nicked outside the club."Register: British informal slang.

Two meanings

1. Stolen

"Someone nicked my bike." (stole my bike)
"My wallet's been nicked." (stolen)
"Who nicked the last biscuit?"

2. Arrested

"He got nicked for speeding." (arrested or caught by police)
"She was nicked outside the club."

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British informal slang. Neither meaning is used in American English. Nick as a verb meaning to steal or arrest is distinctly British.

Nick as a noun

  • "The nick" = prison or police station: "He's in the nick."
  • "In good nick" = in good condition (unrelated meaning): "The car's in really good nick."

A native would say

  • "Stolen" - standard
  • "Pinched" - British informal: "Someone pinched my pen."
  • "Half-inched" - Cockney rhyming slang (half-inch = pinch = steal), old-fashioned
  • "Lifted" - informal, used across varieties
  • "Nab" - to catch or arrest: "He got nabbed."
British English slang crime informal
Frequently asked

What does "nicked" mean?

Two meanings:1. Stolen:"Someone nicked my bike." (stole my bike)"My wallet's been nicked." (stolen)"Who nicked the last biscuit?"2. Arrested:"He got nicked for speeding." (arrested or caught by police)"She was nicked outside the club."Register: British informal slang.

Is "nicked" formal or informal?

British informal slang. Neither meaning is used in American English. Nick as a verb meaning to steal or arrest is distinctly British.

What's another way to say "nicked"?

  • "Stolen" - standard
  • "Pinched" - British informal: "Someone pinched my pen."
  • "Half-inched" - Cockney rhyming slang (half-inch = pinch = steal), old-fashioned
  • "Lifted" - informal, used across varieties
  • "Nab" - to catch or arrest: "He got nabbed."
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