inky

[ing-kee]

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.

Origin of inky

First recorded in 1575–85; ink + -y¹

Related formsink·i·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

black dark jet murky pitch-black

Examples from the Web for inky

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
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
Other dark choices include Jet, Bruno, Bear, Sable, Midnight, Inky, and Ebony.
Top 20 Dog Names of the Future
Linda Rosenkrantz
February 14, 2010

Historical Examples

Outside a sky of inky blackness overhung the white expanse of snow.
The Downfall
Emile Zola
All day, Betty Young had stared fascinatedly at the inky center.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science July 1930
Various
All that time neither Heemskirk nor even his inky shadow had stirred in the least.
'Twixt Land & Sea
Joseph Conrad
A broad path of silver glinted on the inky waters of the river.
Nicanor - Teller of Tales
C. Bryson Taylor
When first he moved it, it drove him headlong into inky darkness.
"Wee Tim'rous Beasties"
Douglas English

British Dictionary definitions for inky

inky

adjective inkier or inkiest

resembling ink, esp in colour; dark or black
of, containing, or stained with inkinky fingers

Derived Formsinkiness, 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

Word Origin and History for inky

adj.

"as black as ink," 1590s, from ink (n.) + -y (2). Related: Inkily; inkiness.

inky

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for inky

Contemporary Examples

Walker makes it to his back door and gingerly steps into the inky night.

The male blackbird resumed his perch, his inky feathers drying in the bright sun as he continued his vigil.

He could see only the inky silhouettes of armed men moving below.

Palin, who is as likely to be running a scam as running for president, has Republicans in the inky plam of her hand.

Other dark choices include Jet, Bruno, Bear, Sable, Midnight, Inky, and Ebony.

Historical Examples

Outside a sky of inky blackness overhung the white expanse of snow.

All day, Betty Young had stared fascinatedly at the inky center.

All that time neither Heemskirk nor even his inky shadow had stirred in the least.

A broad path of silver glinted on the inky waters of the river.

When first he moved it, it drove him headlong into inky darkness.

inky

Word Origin and History for inky

adj.

Origin of inky