nounπShareThe action of squeezing a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt."The toddler's playful pinches on his mother's cheek made her giggle. "bodysensationactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA close compression of anything with the fingers."I gave the leather of the sofa a pinch, gauging the texture."bodysensationactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA small amount of powder or granules, such that the amount could be held between fingertip and thumb tip."She added two pinches of salt to the soup for extra flavor. "amountfoodChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAn awkward situation of some kind (especially money or social) which is difficult to escape."After losing his job, the family finances were in deep pinches, and they had to sell their car. "situationconditionfinancesocietyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA metal bar used as a lever for lifting weights, rolling wheels, etc."The mechanic used two pinches to carefully lift the heavy engine block. "technicalmachineutensilChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAn organic herbal smoke additive."My friend adds pinches of lavender and chamomile to his herbal smoking blends for a more relaxing effect. "plantsubstanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA magnetic compression of an electrically-conducting filament."The technician carefully adjusted the filament's pinches to optimize the circuit's performance. "physicsenergytechnologyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe narrow part connecting the two bulbs of an hourglass."The sand flows slowly through the pinches of the hourglass. "partstructureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAn arrest."The police made several pinches after the bank robbery. "policelawChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo squeeze a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt."The children were scolded for pinching each other."bodyactionsensationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo squeeze between the thumb and forefinger."The baby playfully pinches his mother's cheek. "bodyactionsensationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo squeeze between two objects."The clothespin pinches the clothes to the laundry line. "bodyactionsensationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo steal, usually something inconsequential."Someone has pinched my handkerchief!"propertyactionbusinesseconomyfinanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo arrest or capture."The police often pinches shoplifters who try to steal from stores. "policelawChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo cut shoots or buds of a plant in order to shape the plant, or to improve its yield."The gardener pinches off the tomato plant's suckers to encourage bigger tomatoes. "agricultureplantbiologyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo sail so close-hauled that the sails begin to flutter.""The inexperienced sailor pinches too much when trying to sail upwind, causing the sails to flutter and lose power." "nauticalsailingChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo take hold; to grip, as a dog does."The playful puppy pinches my shoelaces with his teeth and tugs. "actionanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo be stingy or covetous; to live sparingly."My grandfather pinches pennies whenever he can, saving every small coin. "economybusinessfinancevaluecharacterChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo seize; to grip; to bite; said of animals."The crab pinches with its claws if you get too close. "animalactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve."to be pinched for money"physiologybodyconditionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch."The workers pinches the railcar forward inch by inch, using long metal bars to lever the wheels. "technicalvehicleactionmachineindustryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo complain or find fault."My brother always pinches about the food Mom makes, even though he eats it all. "attitudecharacteractionlanguagecommunicationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading