inky

[ ing-kee ]

/ ˈɪŋ ki /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inky ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, ink·i·er, ink·i·est.

black as ink: inky shadows.

resembling ink: The solution was an inky liquid.

stained with ink: inky fingers.

of or relating to ink.

consisting of or containing ink.

written with ink.

Nearby words

inkstand, inkster, inkstone, inkwell, inkwood, inky, inky cap, inky smudge, inla, inlace, inlaid

Origin of inky

First recorded in 1575–85; ink + -y¹

Related forms

ink·i·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inky

Walker makes it to his back door and gingerly steps into the inky night.
The Man Oswald First Tried to Kill Before JFK|Bill Minutaglio, Steven L. Davis|October 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The male blackbird resumed his perch, his inky feathers drying in the bright sun as he continued his vigil.
Rise of Tallest New York Building at Ground Zero Signals Nation’s Rebirth From 9/11|Michael Daly|May 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He could see only the inky silhouettes of armed men moving below.
Michael Ware on Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, Accused of Killing Afghan Civilians|Michael Ware|March 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Palin, who is as likely to be running a scam as running for president, has Republicans in the inky plam of her hand.
Sarah Palin Steals the Show|Margaret Carlson|April 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Other dark choices include Jet, Bruno, Bear, Sable, Midnight, Inky, and Ebony.
Top 20 Dog Names of the Future|Linda Rosenkrantz|February 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Another night came down, and the steamer wallowed in inky blackness.
The Harmsworth Magazine, v. 1, 1898-1899, No. 2|Various
The inky smell and the activity of the print shop fascinated him.
Ticktock and Jim|Keith Robertson
All that time neither Heemskirk nor even his inky shadow had stirred in the least.
'Twixt Land & Sea|Joseph Conrad
Then with diabolic menace the colour changed to an inky blackness, while high above rose the edge of the pall.
The Long Dim Trail|Forrestine C. Hooker
Having signed the petition and wiped her inky finger on her petticoat, she got up and looked at him.
Resurrection|Leo Tolstoy

British Dictionary definitions for inky

inky

/ (ˈɪŋkɪ) /

adjective inkier or inkiest

resembling ink, esp in colour; dark or black

of, containing, or stained with inkinky fingers

Derived Forms

inkiness, noun

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