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Synonyms

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.


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

"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

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

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of plink

First recorded in 1965–70; imitative

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

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

You could hear the plink of metal as it struck the painted wood floor.

From New York Times Oct. 17, 2012

I couldn’t feel it, but I could see the drops plink off my body.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

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