Standard Lemma guide

tink

noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈtɪŋk/
  • [ˈthɪŋk]
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪŋk
  • homophone: think (th-stopping)

1

noun

Meaning 1

A sharp, quick sound; a tinkle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A member of the travelling community. A gypsy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Ireland, UK, offensive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To emit a high-pitched sharp or metallic noise.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Jimmy heard the bells tink.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To unknit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang, transitive

Topics: business, knitting, manufacturing, textiles

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

make or emit a high sound

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • tinkling bells

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: tinkle, clink, chink

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: sound, go

History

Etymology

From Middle English tinken, possibly from Old English *tincian, equivalent to tin + -k. Compare Dutch tinken (“to tink, toll, strike the bells of a clock”), German Low German tinken (“to tink”). Compare also English ting.

Shortened from tinker.

knit spelled backwards.