nickname [nicknamed, nicknaming, nicknames]◼◼◼(to give a nickname to) verb [UK: ˈnɪk.neɪm] [US: ˈnɪk.ˌnem]The Russian tsar Ivan the Terrible was nicknamed Vasilievich for his cruelty. = Le tsar russe Ivan le Terrible était surnommé Vassiliévitch pour sa cruauté.