chink
1[ chingk ]
/ tʃɪŋk /
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noun
a crack, cleft, or fissure: a chink in a wall.
a narrow opening: a chink between two buildings.
verb (used with object)
to fill up chinks in.
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Other definitions for chink (2 of 3)
chink2
[ chingk ]
/ tʃɪŋk /
verb (used with or without object)
to make, or cause to make, a short, sharp, ringing sound, as of coins or glasses striking together.
noun
a chinking sound: the chink of ice in a glass.
Slang. coin or ready cash.
Origin of chink
2First recorded in 1565–75; imitative
Other definitions for chink (3 of 3)
Chink
[ chingk ]
/ tʃɪŋk /
noun (sometimes lowercase)Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.
a contemptuous term used to refer to a Chinese person.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use chink in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for chink (1 of 3)
chink1
/ (tʃɪŋk) /
noun
a small narrow opening, such as a fissure or crack
chink in one's armour a small but fatal weakness
verb
(tr) mainly US and Canadian to fill up or make cracks in
Derived forms of chink
chinky, adjectiveWord Origin for chink
C16: perhaps variant of earlier chine, from Old English cine crack; related to Middle Dutch kene, Danish kin
British Dictionary definitions for chink (2 of 3)
chink2
/ (tʃɪŋk) /
verb
to make or cause to make a light ringing sound, as by the striking of glasses or coins
noun
such a sound
Word Origin for chink
C16: of imitative origin
British Dictionary definitions for chink (3 of 3)
Chink
taboo Chinky (ˈtʃɪŋkɪ)
/ (tʃɪŋk) /
noun, adjective plural Chinks or Chinkies
an old-fashioned and highly derogatory term for Chinese
Word Origin for Chink
C20: probably from Chinese, influenced by chink 1 (referring to the characteristic shape of the Chinese eye)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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