pink

¹ American  

[pingk] / pɪŋk /

noun

1. a color varying from light crimson to pale reddish purple.

2. any of several plants of the genus Dianthus, as the clove pink or carnation.

3. the flower of such a plant; carnation.

4. the highest or best form, degree, or example of something: Her parties are the pink of perfection.

   Those runners are in the pink of condition.

   Her parties are the pink of perfection.

5. Older Slang: Disparaging. pinko.

6. Business Informal. a carbon copy, as of a sales slip or invoice, made on pink tissue paper.

7. pinks,

   1. Fox Hunting. pink coat.

   2. pinkish-tan gabardine trousers formerly worn by military officers as part of the dress uniform.

8. the scarlet color of hunting pinks.

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adjective

pinker, pinkest

1. of the color pink.

   pink marble.

2. Older Slang: Disparaging.

   1. holding mildly leftist political opinions.

   2. leaning toward communist ideology.

3. Informal. of or relating to gay people or gay sexual orientation.

idioms

1. tickled pink. tickle.

2. in the pink, healthy, physically fit, or in high spirits.

   I’m feeling very much in the pink today, after a refreshing walk in the countryside.

pink ² American  

[pingk] / pɪŋk /

verb (used with object)

1. to pierce with a rapier or the like; stab.

2. to finish (fabric) at the edge with a scalloped, notched, or other pattern, as to prevent fraying or for ornament.

3. to punch (cloth, leather, etc.) with small holes or figures for ornament.

4. Chiefly British Dialect. to adorn or ornament, especially with scalloped edges or a punched-out pattern.

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pink ³ American  

[pingk] / pɪŋk /

noun

1. a vessel with a pink stern.

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pink ¹ British  

/ pɪŋk /

noun

1. any of a group of colours with a reddish hue that are of low to moderate saturation and can usually reflect or transmit a large amount of light; a pale reddish tint

2. pink cloth or clothing

   dressed in pink

3. any of various Old World plants of the caryophyllaceous genus Dianthus, such as D. plumarius ( garden pink ), cultivated for their fragrant flowers See also carnation

4. any of various plants of other genera, such as the moss pink

5. the flower of any of these plants

6. the highest or best degree, condition, etc (esp in the phrases in the pink of health, in the pink )

7. 1. a huntsman's scarlet coat

   2. a huntsman who wears a scarlet coat

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adjective

1. of the colour pink

2. informal left-wing

3. derogatory

   1. sympathetic to or influenced by Communism

   2. leftist or radical, esp half-heartedly

4. informal of or relating to homosexuals or homosexuality

   the pink vote

5. (of a huntsman's coat) scarlet or red

verb

1. (intr) another word for knock

pink ² British  

/ pɪŋk /

verb

1. to prick lightly with a sword or rapier

2. to decorate (leather, cloth, etc) with a perforated or punched pattern

3. to cut with pinking shears

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pink ³ British  

/ pɪŋk /

noun

1. a sailing vessel with a narrow overhanging transom

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pink More Idioms  

1. see in the pink; tickled pink.

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Other Word Forms

• pinkish
  adjective
• pinkness
  noun
• pinky
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pink¹

First recorded in 1565–75; origin uncertain

Origin of pink²

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English pinge(n), pinken, pung(en) “to push (a door), batter, shove; prick, stab, pierce; punch holes in,” Old English pyngan “to prick,” possibly from Latin pungere “to prick, pierce”; cf. point ( def. ), puncheon ²

Origin of pink³

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English pynck(e), from Middle Dutch pinke “fishing boat”

Explanation

Anything pink is colored a shade that's a combination of red and white. Young girls are traditionally dolled up in pink outfits, until they eventually rebel and refuse to wear pink as tweens. The color pink varies from a soft, pastel shade to a bold, bright one — but they're all a lighter version of red, or red with some white added. Many flowers are pink, and there are even a few known as pinks, or garden pinks. If your doctor tells you you're "in the pink" after your checkup, she means you're very healthy. The word began as the flower name, probably from Dutch, in which pink means "small."

Example Sentences

“I do regard you as a true and trusted friend,” Musk said, according to a recording of the event, which was held at New York’s Lincoln Center and featured performances by Pink and Shania Twain.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

On the small Caribbean island of Barbuda, the Pink Sands Beach Bar played host to locals - and the occasional tourist - for more than 20 years.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Victoria’s Secret and Pink have started to show share gains even as they scale back on promotions, he noted.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

The ceremony, hosted by Pink, will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

While Mr. Lias walked to the back of the buggy to get out the mail, Pink and I went up on the porch.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns