sinker

American  

[sing-ker] / ˈsɪŋ kər /

noun

1. a person or thing that sinks.

2. a person employed in sinking, as one who sinks shafts.

3. a weight, as of lead, for sinking a fishing line or net below the surface of the water.

4. Slang. a doughnut or, sometimes, a biscuit or muffin.

5. Also called sinkerball.  Baseball. a fastball that curves downward sharply as it reaches the plate.

6. diesinker.

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sinker British  

/ ˈsɪŋkə /

noun

1. a weight attached to a fishing line, net, etc, to cause it to sink in water

2. a person who sinks shafts, etc

3. an informal word for doughnut

4. See hook

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sinker Idioms  

1. see hook, line, and sinker.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sinkerless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sinker

First recorded in 1520–30; 1870–75 in the sense “doughnut“; 1930–35 in the baseball sense; sink + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The plan has been hailed as "a strong vote of confidence in the UK as a science and technology leader" by Roland Sinker, chair of innovation and growth at the University of Cambridge.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Roland Sinker, chief executive of CUH, said he was "deeply sorry for the harm" Amy had experienced and the impact "on her and her family".

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025

The surgeon specialised in children, but also carried out emergency orthopaedic procedures on adults, the trust's chief executive Roland Sinker said.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2025

"I want to apologise to all of our patients for two data breaches, which happened in 2020 and 2021, and which have recently come to light," Mr Sinker said.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2023

The sheep were not to blame for the killing of Sinker.

From Sundown Slim by Fischer, Anton Otto

Related Words

• bun
• pastry