slink

[ slingk ]

/ slɪŋk /

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verb (used without object), slunk or (Archaic) slank; slunk; slink·ing.

to move or go in a furtive, abject manner, as from fear, cowardice, or shame.

to walk or move in a slow, sinuous, provocative way.

verb (used with object), slunk or (Archaic) slank; slunk; slink·ing.

(especially of cows) to bring forth (young) prematurely.

noun

a prematurely born calf or other animal.

adjective

born prematurely: a slink calf.

Nearby words

sling-back, slingback, slinger, slinger ring, slingshot, slink, slink away, slinky, slinter, sliotar, slip

Origin of slink

before 1150; Middle English slynken (v.), Old English slincan to creep, crawl; cognate with Low German slinken, German schlinken

SYNONYMS FOR slink

1 skulk, sneak; lurk.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR slink ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

slink·ing·ly, adverbout·slink, verb (used with object), out·slunk, out·slink·ing.un·slink·ing, adjective

Can be confused

sling slink

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for slinking

One such thing is Katie Holmes slinking around in all-black and doing her best Fosse while crooning “Hit Me With a Hot Note.”
‘American Horror Story’ Sings “The Name Game” and 12 Other Bizarre TV Musical Numbers (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|January 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If anyone can talk Muammar Gaddafi into slinking away from Libya, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi says it's him.
Gaddafi's Best Friend in Europe|Barbie Latza Nadeau|March 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Last May, when the United Nations dispatched Bill Clinton to Haiti, it felt as if Clinton was slinking off the world stage.
Clinton to the Rescue|Bryan Curtis, Benjamin Sarlin|January 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
He went out of the room with a stealthy, slinking haste, as though he feared lest the self-restraint of his victor might fail.
The Shooting of Dan McGrew, A Novel|Marvin Dana

He described a grim figure, bending low and slinking off along the fence.
The Monster and Other Stories|Stephen Crane
He crawled out—creeping along by the wall, and slinking through the gate—heart-sick and all but heart-dead.
The Manxman|Hall Caine
In a nervous, slinking manner, he drew back behind his curtain.
Everychild|Louis Dodge
Harry, carrying the lamp, entered the room, with Maria slinking at his heels.
By the Light of the Soul|Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

British Dictionary definitions for slinking

slink

/ (slɪŋk) /

verb slinks, slinking or slunk

(intr) to move or act in a furtive or cringing manner from or as if from fear, guilt, etc

(intr) to move in a sinuous alluring manner

(tr) (of animals, esp cows) to give birth to prematurely

noun

an animal, esp a calf, born prematurely
(as modifier)slink veal

Word Origin for slink

Old English slincan; related to Middle Low German slinken to shrink, Old Swedish slinka to creep, Danish slunken limp

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