inky

American  

[ing-kee] / ˈɪŋ ki /

adjective

inkier, inkiest

1. black as ink.

   inky shadows.

2. resembling ink.

   The solution was an inky liquid.

3. stained with ink.

   inky fingers.

4. of or relating to ink.

5. consisting of or containing ink.

6. written with ink.

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inky British  

/ ˈɪŋkɪ /

adjective

1. resembling ink, esp in colour; dark or black

2. of, containing, or stained with ink

   inky fingers

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Other Word Forms

• inkiness noun

Etymology

Origin of inky

First recorded in 1575–85; ink + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Elsewhere, a stripe of lemon yellow radiates against an inky background, interrupted by numerous dark patches.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

A signal flare arcs into the inky sky – and illuminates Chinese soldiers who have spilled out of the boat and amassed on the beach.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2025

Hours were marked by peals of screams following every uncovered worm wriggling in the corn silks, and each of us proudly showing off our inky fingertips from pressing out purple hull peas from their pods.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2025

As the plane crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the inky darkness and dusk began to fall over Los Angeles, Bass’ phone continued to buzz.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2025

Gregor looked up into the inky black sky and then realized that, of course, there was no sky.

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins