tinge
Americanverb (used with object)
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to impart a trace or slight degree of some color to; tint.
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to impart a slight taste or smell to.
noun
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a slight tint or colouring
her hair had a tinge of grey
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any slight addition
verb
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to colour or tint faintly
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to impart a slight trace to
her thoughts were tinged with nostalgia
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have tingedperfect
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has tingedperfect 3rd person singular
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is tingeingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been tingeingperfect progressive
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has been tingingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is tingingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am tingeingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been tingingperfect progressive
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tingeingparticiple
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tingessingular 3rd person
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has been tingeingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am tingingprogressive 1st person singular
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are tingingprogressive
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tingingparticiple
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are tingeingprogressive
Past
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had tingedperfect
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was tingingprogressive singular
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were tingeingprogressive plural
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had been tingeingperfect progressive
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were tingingprogressive plural
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was tingeingprogressive singular
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tingedparticiple
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had been tingingperfect progressive
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tingedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of tinge
First recorded in 1470–80, tinge is from the Latin word tingere to dye, color
Explanation
A tinge is a slight amount of something, like a color or a feeling. Some glaciers have a tinge of blue, and an old photo might make you feel a tinge of sadness. If a painting has a tinge of orange, there's just a touch of orange. Outside of colors, tinge can mean a small amount of just about anything. Sometimes you hear about someone speaking with a tinge of anger. That means there's just a little bit anger showing in their words. A tinge will never bowl you over — it's always small or subtle.
Vocabulary lists containing tinge
"The Witches" by Roald Dahl, Chapters 1–5
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Ground Zero
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The Unteachables
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And if it does transpire to be his final week, he will no doubt depart with a tinge of regret.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
It’s set in a bougie bohemian realm inhabited by actors and writers, cultural nomads who have mystery and money, and a tinge of the sordid about them.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
The paper said it was "of no party or faction" and boasted "a tinge of republicanism".
From BBC • Dec. 1, 2025
A tinge of vulnerability and goofiness in Grace Van Patten’s naturalistic portrayal is reminiscent of Audrey Tautou’s bubbly and eccentric character in Jeunet’s film.
From Salon • Aug. 20, 2025
Ordinarily he was a regular kid, minding his own business with no tinge of the crusader or fanatic about him.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
