tinge

[tinj]

verb (used with object)

tinged, tingeing, tinging. 

1. to impart a trace or slight degree of some color to; tint.

2. to impart a slight taste or smell to.

noun

1. a slight degree of coloration.

2. a slight admixture, as of some qualifying property or characteristic; trace; smattering.

   a tinge of garlic; a tinge of anger.

   Synonyms: suspicion, nuance, shade, hint

tinge

/ tɪndʒ /

noun

1. a slight tint or colouring

   her hair had a tinge of grey

2. any slight addition

verb

1. to colour or tint faintly

2. to impart a slight trace to

   her thoughts were tinged with nostalgia

Other Word Forms

• intertinge verb (used with object)
• retinge verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of tinge¹

First recorded in 1470–80, tinge is from the Latin word tingere to dye, color

Word History and Origins

Origin of tinge¹

C15: from Latin tingere to colour

Example Sentences

Toilets lacked basic items such as soap, while water gushing from the faucets was tinged brown.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The atmosphere is convivial but tinged with tension.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He smelled the faint scent of Gibby’s strawberry shampoo, mixed with a tinge of body odor from Ridge—he hadn’t showered, after all—and the unplaceable odor that was, no doubt, Beejee.

Read more on Literature

On songs like “Slushy” and “Predictable Girl,” she intertwines a menagerie of robotic, spacey sirens with tinges of Jersey club beats and ’90s-influenced R&B chords.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His pessimism toward high finance was becoming tinged with political ideas.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• coloration 
• hue 
• tint 
• tone