-nik

Save This Word!

a suffix of nouns that refer, usually derogatorily, to persons who support or are concerned or associated with a particular political cause or group, cultural attitude, or the like: beatnik, filmnik; no-goodnik; peacenik.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of -nik

<Yiddish (cf. nudnik) <Slavic: a personal suffix in Slavic languages in contact with Yiddish

Words nearby -nik

Niigata, Niihau, Nijinsky, Nijinsky, Vaslav, Nijmegen, -nik, Nikaria, nikau, Nike, Nike Hercules, Nikkei

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use -nik in a sentence

So, tell me Nik, how are you preparing mentally for this walk?
Nik Wallenda Will Tightrope Walk Across the Grand Canyon, and He’s Not Even Nervous|Anna Brand|June 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Nik Wallenda is set to be the first person to walk across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope.
Nik Wallenda Will Tightrope Walk Across the Grand Canyon, and He’s Not Even Nervous|Anna Brand|June 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But that no-fun-nik Rick Perry came out today against the idea.
Self-Deportation, Democrat Style|Michael Tomasky|November 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Rhinichthys, rī-nik′this, n. a North American genus of cyprinoid fishes.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various

At the end of the room stood now a huge archaic Nik, with outstretched peplum and soaring wings.
Elizabeth's Campaign|Mrs. Humphrey Ward
He turned joyously, his young figure finely caught in the light of Elizabeth's lamp against the background of the Nik.
Elizabeth's Campaign|Mrs. Humphrey Ward
The wood fire glowed on the hearth, and its ruddy light was on the face of the Nik, and its solemn outstretched wings.
Elizabeth's Campaign|Mrs. Humphrey Ward
Splanchnic, splangk′nik, adj. relating to the viscera, intestinal.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for -nik

-nik

suffix forming nouns

denoting a person associated with a specified state, belief, or qualitybeatnik; refusenik

Word Origin for -nik

C20: from Russian -nik, as in Sputnik, and influenced by Yiddish -nik (agent suffix)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012