-nik

1. a suffix of nouns that refer, usually derogatorily, to persons who support or are concerned or associated with a particular political cause or group, cultural attitude, or the like.

   beatnik, filmnik; no-goodnik; peacenik.

-nik

suffix

1. denoting a person associated with a specified state, belief, or quality

   beatnik

   refusenik

Word History and Origins

Origin of -nik¹

< Yiddish ( nudnik ) < Slavic: a personal suffix in Slavic languages in contact with Yiddish

Word History and Origins

Origin of -nik¹

C20: from Russian -nik, as in _Sputnik , and influenced by Yiddish -nik (agent suffix)

Example Sentences

The firm is looking for a replacement, and in the meantime chief financial officer Nik Jhangiani will take on her role.

From BBC

At Benton Park School in Leeds, head teacher Nik Skilton says teachers have to be "really careful" when discussing inappropriate online content with students, to avoid introducing ideas they may not yet have encountered.

From BBC

As Nik Blosser, Brown’s chief of staff and one of the negotiators, pointed out recently, referring to Vice President Pence, “There was at least someone in the administration that knew that this violence needed to come to an end. I’m not sure who is there to negotiate with now.”

From Salon

Back in 2021, artist and designer Nik Bentel launched his viral Barilla-inspired “Pasta Bag,” which he revived the following year with a brand new design akin to a box of De Cecco’s penne pasta.

From Salon

The other is the secretive Signals intelligence listening station on a mountain top at Ayios Nikolaos, known as "Ayia Nik", and part of Britain's Sovereign Base Area on Cyprus.

From BBC