notch
Groove in wood
A notch is a V-shaped cut or indentation, typically made in an edge or surface.
Notches serve practical purposes like keeping things in place or marking measurements, as on a belt or a tally stick.
To notch something is to cut a notch in it, or to achieve or record something: She notched another win.
A notch can also mean a level or degree: Turn the volume up a notch.
If something is a notch above, it's slightly better than what it's compared to.
Narrow cut or routine
- slotNarrow slit for insertion
- nickShallow surface cut
- dentShallow surface depression
- depressionProlonged low state
recess · cleft · gap · cut · slit · channel · furrow · gouge
Move beyond or decline
- gapUnfilled space between
- colSpreadsheet vertical section
- mountainTall natural landmass
- trailPath through wilderness
passage · defile · saddle · ridge · gorge · canyon · valley · ravine
Carve by shaving layers
- chiselEdged carving implement
- woodworkCraft of building with lumber
- craftsmanshipSkill in making objects
- carpentryWood construction trade
joinery · mortise · incise · engrave · knife · blade · cut · shape
Notable event marking progress
- levelHorizontal or uniform position
- accomplishmentSuccessful completion of aim
- rankPosition in hierarchy
- degreeUnit of measurement
tier · step · rung · grade · advancement · progression · upgrade · belt
Numerical standing in competition
- countReckon a total
- markVisible impression or sign
- recordPreserved account or achievement
- pointExact location or meaning
tick · scratch · stroke · kill · win · victory · hit · entry
Standard of measurement
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- incrementUnit of increase
- markingIndicating with symbols
scale · indicator · division · tick · interval · gradation · demarcation · reference
groove
Narrow cut or routine
depression · recess · cleft · gap · cut · slit · channel · furrow · gouge · score
pass
Move beyond or decline
trail · passage · defile · saddle · ridge · gorge · canyon · valley · ravine · hollow
whittle
Carve by shaving layers
- chiselEdged carving implement
- woodworkCraft of building with lumber
- craftsmanshipSkill in making objects
carpentry · joinery · mortise · incise · engrave · knife · blade · cut · shape · V-cut
milestone
Notable event marking progress
- levelHorizontal or uniform position
- accomplishmentSuccessful completion of aim
- rankPosition in hierarchy
degree · tier · step · rung · grade · advancement · progression · upgrade · belt · standing
score
Numerical standing in competition
point · tick · scratch · stroke · kill · win · victory · hit · entry · hash
gauge
Standard of measurement
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- incrementUnit of increase
marking · scale · indicator · division · tick · interval · gradation · demarcation · reference · setting
- cuttingslicing, slice, chopping, dice, dicing
- marksmark, blemish, blotch, stroke, seal of approval
- rankingsrankings, first, college rankings, second, third
- groovesfurrow, channel, slot, rut, score
- device partsbattery, button, buttons, camera, screen
- rock featurescliff, cliff face, rock face, crag, overhang
notchprotrusion
Part extending outward
bulge · bump · projection · ridge · convexity
notchflush
Same suit, five cards
smooth · even · unbroken · continuous · seamless
notchsetback
Reverse in progress
step backward · demotion · decline · regression · downgrade
- top notchOf the highest caliber
- notch upAccumulate incrementally, score
- take down a notchDiminish someone's pride
- a notch aboveMarginally superior quality
- knocked down a notchMade less arrogant
- bring down a notchReduce someone's arrogance