oink

American  

[oingk] / ɔɪŋk /

verb (used without object)

1. to make the characteristic sound of a pig; grunt.

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noun

1. the squealing or grunting sound made by a pig.

oink British  

/ ɔɪŋk /

interjection

1. an imitation or representation of the grunt of a pig

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Etymology

Origin of oink

First recorded in 1940–45; imitative

Explanation

An oink is the sound a pig makes. If you're on the hunt for your neighbor's run-away piglets, be sure to listen carefully for oinks. In Japanese, pigs "buu," in German they "grunz," and in Swedish they "nöff." In English, however, we describe the sound pigs make as an oink and we say that when they make this noise, they oink. All of these words are imitative, each language's best imitation of the grunting-squeaking-squeal that's unique to our porcine pals.

Example Sentences

The party which was in government less than two years ago ended up about 14,000 votes behind the winner and only 547 votes ahead of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party's "Sir Oink A-Lot".

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Oink Games, a collection of card and board games from Oink Games, which features local and online play.

From The Verge • Dec. 15, 2021

Also in July, Virtual Piggy announced that merchants that use the Netbanx online banking system can now offer Oink as an alternative method of payment.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2014

Annoyingly, Oink folded just as I needed some kind of regular income, on account of leaving home and becoming an adult.

From The Guardian • Aug. 19, 2012

Instead, George says "Quack," "Oink," "Meow"and even "Moo."

From Seattle Times • Jun. 25, 2010

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