dink

¹ American  

[dingk] / dɪŋk /

noun

1. dinghy.

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dink ² American  

[dingk] / dɪŋk /

noun

Tennis, Volleyball.

1. a softly hit ball that falls just over the net; drop shot.

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dink ³ American  

[dingk] / dɪŋk /

noun

Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a Southeast Asian, especially a Vietnamese.

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dink ⁴ American  

[dingk] / dɪŋk /

Or DINK

noun

Informal.

1. either partner of a usually high-earning couple having two incomes and no children.

   Dinks may be able to retire early.

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dink ¹ British  

/ dɪŋk /

adjective

1. dialect neat or neatly dressed

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verb

1. slang:childrens

   1. (tr) to carry (a second person) on a horse, bicycle, etc

   2. (intr) (of two people) to travel together on a horse, bicycle, etc

dink ² British  

/ dɪŋk /

noun

1. a ball struck delicately

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verb

1. to hit or kick (a ball) delicately

Sensitive Note

This term was a disparaging and offensive slur applied to a Vietcong or North Vietnamese soldier during the Vietnam War.

Etymology

Origin of dink¹

First recorded in 1900–05; by shortening and replacement of voiced consonant [g] with voiceless [k]

Origin of dink²

First recorded in 1935–40; imitative, probably influenced by dinky

Origin of dink³

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; compare Australian slang dink “Chinese person”; perhaps back formation from dinky, reinforced by rhyme with Chink

Origin of dink⁴

First recorded in 1985–90; d(ouble) i(ncome), n(o) k(ids) or d(ual) i(ncome,) n(o) k(ids)

Example Sentences

Yazan Al-Naimat put Jordan ahead at the start of the second half with a clever dink, before Tamari doubled their lead with a superb solo effort.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2024

Accrington started brightly and eventually got their reward when 18-year-old substitute Leslie Adekoya scored his first senior goal with a clever dink over Illan Meslier following a cross from the right.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2023

The defender stepped up and nonchalantly delivered a dink down the middle of the goal to spark scenes of wild jubilation - before emotionally celebrating with his mother in the stands.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2022

“Tom Brady is Tom Brady. He was meticulous in staying to the plan of his dink and dunk,” Jordan said.

From Washington Post • Dec. 5, 2022

These trees were beeches, whose trunks are always more beautiful in a pearly light, and among the beeches there was the smallest movement and a silvery dink.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White