Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

dink

1 American  
[dingk] / dɪŋk /

noun

  1. dinghy.


dink 2 American  
[dingk] / dɪŋk /

noun

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


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.


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.


dink 1 British  
/ dɪŋk /

adjective

  1. dialect neat or neatly dressed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
dink 2 British  
/ dɪŋk /

noun

  1. a ball struck delicately

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to hit or kick (a ball) delicately

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Again, this led to a huge influx of buyers, causing Dink Doink's value to spike.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2024

Time Magazine analysed another anonymous wallet that had bought Dink Doink prior to Logan Paul’s promotion of the coin and then sold its holding shortly after.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2024

And the ultimate pilgrimage: to the ground of the vanished Hinky Dink BBQ stand, the spot on old Route 66 at the border between Pasadena and Eagle Rock.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2024

“I did have a sense of responsibility to make this happen, both as someone who had incredible affection and respect for Dink and Brewster, but also as a scholar,” Spanier said.

From New York Times • Sep. 21, 2022

First, Dink Scribbens took a wonderful and sudden turn for the better.

From The Man from Jericho by Litsey, Edwin Carlile

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "dink" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com