dinky

American  

[ding-kee] / ˈdɪŋ ki /

adjective

dinkier, dinkiest

1. Informal. small, unimportant, unimpressive, or shabby.

   We stayed in a dinky old hotel.

2. British Informal. fashionable; well dressed; smart.

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noun

plural

dinkies

1. dinkey.

dinky British  

/ ˈdɪŋkɪ /

adjective

1. small and neat; dainty

2. inconsequential; insignificant

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Etymology

Origin of dinky

1780–90; compare Scots dink neatly dressed, trim (of obscure origin); sense shift perhaps: trim > dainty > small > insignificant; -y ¹

Example Sentences

With Mama’s help, she made a uniform, complete with an arm band and a dinky little hat.

From Literature

But in this reversal of fortune, he is the largest opponent, taking it upon himself to defend a dinky innocent from a herd of hunters dwarfed by his size but much larger than the cricket.

From Salon

Foy notes that he gets the biggest spuds he can source: “I don’t give out dinky potatoes,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The set’s smooth, flat surfaces and simple lines feel dinky.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s dinky and depressing and it doesn’t do a thing to make the world a better place.

From Los Angeles Times