nickel-and-dime

1 of 2

adjective

nick·​el-and-dime ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdīm How to pronounce nickel-and-dime (audio)
1
: involving or offering only a small amount of money
2

nickel-and-dime

2 of 2

verb

nickeled-and-dimed ˌni-kəld-ən-ˈdīmd How to pronounce nickel-and-dime (audio) or nickel-and-dimed ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdīmd How to pronounce nickel-and-dime (audio) ; nickeling-and-diming ˌni-k(ə-)liŋ-ən-ˈdī-miŋ How to pronounce nickel-and-dime (audio) or nickel-and-diming ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdī-miŋ How to pronounce nickel-and-dime (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to impair, weaken, or defeat piecemeal (as through a series of small incursions or excessive attention to minor details)
2
: to treat (a person or situation) by paying excessive attention to small amounts of money often with a detrimental effect

Examples of nickel-and-dime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Trying to nickel-and-dime such an important player could have done more harm than good. Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024 Southwest Airlines, which set itself apart from its nickel-and-dime competitors, will soon scrap its open-seat policy and charge folks for more legroom. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 July 2024 Love or hate Apple, the company’s nickel-and-dime approach to cables, dongles, and chargers primed people to believe reports like this. Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 14 Sep. 2023 Finally, though, the Bengals didn’t nickel-and-dime a deal to death. Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023 Doyel:Pacers won't get off mediocrity treadmill with nickel-and-dime moves from NBA Draft Nate Laszewski, Notre Dame Basketball fans in the state of Indiana should be familiar with Nate Laszewski of Notre Dame. Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 23 June 2023 This hasn’t even touched on other ways Disneyland can nickel-and-dime guests. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023 The break-in at a Philadelphia parking lot wasn’t a nickel-and-dime case. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nickel-and-dime was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near nickel-and-dime

Cite this Entry

“Nickel-and-dime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nickel-and-dime. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on nickel-and-dime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!