tinge

[tinj]

verb (used with object)

tinged, tingeing, tinging. 

1. to impart a trace or slight degree of some color to; tint.

2. to impart a slight taste or smell to.

noun

1. a slight degree of coloration.

2. a slight admixture, as of some qualifying property or characteristic; trace; smattering.

   a tinge of garlic; a tinge of anger.

   Synonyms: suspicion, nuance, shade, hint

tinge

/ tɪndʒ /

noun

1. a slight tint or colouring

   her hair had a tinge of grey

2. any slight addition

verb

1. to colour or tint faintly

2. to impart a slight trace to

   her thoughts were tinged with nostalgia

Other Word Forms

• intertinge verb (used with object)
• retinge verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of tinge¹

First recorded in 1470–80, tinge is from the Latin word tingere to dye, color

Word History and Origins

Origin of tinge¹

C15: from Latin tingere to colour

Example Sentences

Everything just has this tinge of capitalism on it, without any actual substance to it in a lot of ways.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Uncertain what kind of family we could provide if they stayed, we’d always miss them, but I also felt a tinge of relief having our lives back.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Jones left a congratulatory message tinged with sorrow.

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But today every sound is tinged with uncertainty as the future of the firm is unclear because of the possible end of a key piece of US trade law.

Read more on BBC

Many of her insights are astute, though occasionally tinged with rancor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coloration 
• hue 
• tint 
• tone