kink

[ kingk ]

/ kɪŋk /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: kink / kinked / kinking on Thesaurus.com

noun

a twist or curl, as in a thread, rope, wire, or hair, caused by its doubling or bending upon itself.

a muscular stiffness or soreness, as in the neck or back.

a flaw or imperfection likely to hinder the successful operation of something, as a machine or plan: There are still a few kinks to be worked out of the plan before we start production.

a mental twist; notion; whim or crotchet.

Slang.

bizarre or unconventional sexual preferences or behavior.
a person characterized by such preferences or behavior.

verb (used with or without object)

to form, or cause to form, a kink or kinks, as a rope.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of kink

1670–80; <Dutch: a twist in a rope

OTHER WORDS FROM kink

un·kink, verb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use kink in a sentence

Some observations support the idea that the kinks originate at the base of the corona and are carried past Parker and beyond, like a wave traveling along a jump rope.
The Parker Solar Probe will have company on its next pass by the sun|Lisa Grossman|January 15, 2021|Science News
Reporting on vaccinations should improve in the next few days as kinks are ironed out of the state’s data system, Yarmosky said.
As covid-19 hospitalizations hit new highs, Northam takes steps to speed vaccinations|Jenna Portnoy, Gregory S. Schneider|January 6, 2021|Washington Post
There are kinks in the system — if there are multiple tags in one location, it can be difficult to navigate properly between those tags and the app sometimes displays them out of order.
The Next Great Transit Hack: An App for Blind Subway Riders|Carly Stern|November 25, 2020|Ozy
Otherwise, it caters to an idea that, like most kinks, serves only the kink and not so much reality.
What Kind of Work Is Sex Work?|Eugene Robinson|November 8, 2020|Ozy

In the spring, Amazon struggled to meet its shipping deadlines, something it hopes to avoid during the holidays by working out any kinks during Prime Day.
Amazon Prime Day set to span two days in October as dress rehearsal for holiday season|Phil Wahba|September 28, 2020|Fortune
The wire persisted in getting twisted and they had all they could do to keep it from kinking.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
In this way you are working with the twist of the thread and there is less danger of knotting and kinking.
Handicraft for Girls|Idabelle McGlauflin
Coiling the rope, he tried to throw it again into the crevice; but it had lost the knack of kinking.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 96, October 1865|Various
There is where his laugh comes off, curling and kinking in little spasms of pure pig joy!
The Fall of the Year|Dallas Lore Sharp
Shag was throwing clouds of dust over his lowered head, and kinking his tufted tail in battle anger.
The Outcasts|W. A. Fraser

British Dictionary definitions for kink

kink

/ (kɪŋk) /

noun

a sharp twist or bend in a wire, rope, hair, etc, esp one caused when it is pulled tight

a crick in the neck or similar muscular spasm

a flaw or minor difficulty in some undertaking or project

a flaw or idiosyncrasy of personality; quirk

British informal a sexual deviation

US a clever or unusual idea

verb

to form or cause to form a kink

Word Origin for kink

C17: from Dutch: a curl in a rope; compare Middle Low German kinke kink, Old Norse kinka to nod

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

kink

Origin of kink

OTHER WORDS FROM kink

Words related to kink

How to use kink in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for kink

Word Origin for kink