nick

Compared meaning: a small cut or mark on a surface (noun).

比较义项：刻痕（名词）。

• nick 本词

  Refers to a small, shallow, often accidental cut or scratch on a surface or skin, with no particular shape; informal and minor in tone.

  指表面或皮肤上一个小的、浅的、常常是不小心造成的划痕或缺口，没有特定形状；语气随意，程度较轻。

  There's a nick on the edge of the glass where it hit the counter.

  玻璃杯边缘有一道小划痕，是碰到台面留下的。

• notch

  Refers to a deliberate, V-shaped cut made in an edge or surface, often to mark something or fit a piece; more precise and purposeful than nick.

  指在边缘或表面上特意刻出的 V 形切口，常用来做标记或方便嵌合；比 nick 更精确、更具目的性。

  She carved a notch in the belt to make it fit her waist.

  她在皮带上刻了一个 V 形刻痕，好让它更合腰围。

Nick and notch both name a small cut on a surface, but the shape and cause differ. Notch describes a deliberate, V-shaped cut, often made to mark something or fit two parts together. Nick describes a small, shallow, accidental scratch, with a lighter, informal tone.

两个词都指物体表面的小凹痕或切口，但 notch 强调呈 V 形、边缘分明的刻痕，常用于做记号；nick 强调随意造成的小划痕或缺口，程度更轻。

Compared meaning: a small mark of damage on a surface (noun).

比较义项：表面上因外力造成的小损伤痕迹（名词）。

• nick 本词

  A nick is a small cut or notch, usually made by a sharp edge or blade slipping; it breaks the surface or shaves off a tiny bit, rather than pushing it inward.

  nick（划痕）通常指锐器或刀刃滑过表面留下的浅痕或缺口，会划破表面或削去一点点材料，而不是把表面压凹。

  The razor left a small nick on his chin while he was shaving.

  剃须刀在他刮胡子时在下巴上留下了一个小划痕。

• dent

  A dent is a hollow pushed into a surface by pressure or an impact, with no material cut away; it is common on hard, rigid surfaces like metal or car panels.

  dent（凹痕）指表面受到挤压或撞击后形成的凹陷，没有材料被削去，常见于金属、车身等坚硬平面上。

  A falling branch left a dent in the roof of her car.

  一根掉落的树枝在她的车顶上留下了一个凹痕。

Nick and dent both name small damage on a surface, but they form differently. A nick is a cut made by something sharp, like a slipping blade, removing a tiny bit of surface. A dent is a hollow pushed inward by pressure, without cutting material.

nick 和 dent 都指物体表面上的小瑕疵，但成因和形状不同：nick 是锐器划出的浅痕或缺口，可能削去一点点材料；dent 则是受压或撞击后形成的凹陷，材料没有被削去，只是被压进去了。这里不比较 nick 作动词表示“划伤”或英式俚语中“偷”的用法，也不比较 dent 作动词“使凹陷”或比喻“（信心、名誉等）受挫”的用法。