*nix

noun

Unix and various other similar or compatible operating systems.

“Linux, Mac OS X, AIX, Solaris, and DG/UX are examples of *nixes.”

Similar
UN*X
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Meanings

noun*nix (plural *nixes or *nices)

plural *nixes · plural *nices

  1. InternetcomputingUnix and various other similar or compatible operating systems.

    Linux, Mac OS X, AIX, Solaris, and DG/UX are examples of *nixes.

    Synonyms: UN*X

Synonyms & antonyms

nounUnix and various other similar or compatible operating systems.

Similar
UN*X
Also see
un*x

Origin

Apparently from the wildcard *, indicating any sequence of characters, and Unix and Linux.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

*nix. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/%2Anix

MLA

“*nix.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/%2Anix. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “*nix,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/%2Anix.

Source: *nix on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.