plink

American  

[plingk] / plɪŋk /

verb (used without object)

1. to shoot, as with a rifle, at targets selected at whim.

   to plink at coins tossed in the air.

2. to make a series of short, light, ringing sounds.

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verb (used with object)

1. to shoot at for practice or amusement, as with a rifle.

   to plink bottles set along a fence railing.

2. to cause to make a series of short, light, ringing sounds.

noun

1. a plinking sound.

plink British  

/ plɪŋk /

noun

1. a short sharp often metallic sound as of a string on a musical instrument being plucked or a bullet striking metal

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verb

1. (intr) to make such a noise

2. to hit (a target, such as a tin can) by shooting or to shoot at such a target

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• plinking
  noun
• plinker
  noun

Etymology

Origin of plink

First recorded in 1965–70; imitative

Example Sentences

Here’s a kalimba, an African thumb piano with metal tines that plink like a music box.

From Washington Post • Aug. 15, 2021

And so just on the day I said, “This is kind of weird, maybe plink the piano.”

From The Verge • Dec. 4, 2019

The surface is mostly subterfuge, especially at the beginning: the perky electroacoustic plink of the arrangement, the galloping beat and vocal harmonies of the chorus, the video clip that’s devoted to boys-will-be-boys high jinks.

From New York Times • May 27, 2016

He employed an orchestra, climbed inside a piano to plink its strings with a bobby pin, and incorporated everyday sounds like keys jangling or dogs barking into the songs.

From Washington Times • Jun. 4, 2015

One by one, they dropped into a tin can with a dull plink, and the surgeon then began sewing up the wound.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong