tinge
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to impart a trace or slight degree of some color to; tint.
-
to impart a slight taste or smell to.
noun
-
a slight tint or colouring
her hair had a tinge of grey
-
any slight addition
verb
-
to colour or tint faintly
-
to impart a slight trace to
her thoughts were tinged with nostalgia
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tinge
First recorded in 1470–80, tinge is from the Latin word tingere to dye, color
Explanation
A tinge is a slight amount of something, like a color or a feeling. Some glaciers have a tinge of blue, and an old photo might make you feel a tinge of sadness. If a painting has a tinge of orange, there's just a touch of orange. Outside of colors, tinge can mean a small amount of just about anything. Sometimes you hear about someone speaking with a tinge of anger. That means there's just a little bit anger showing in their words. A tinge will never bowl you over — it's always small or subtle.
Vocabulary lists containing tinge
"The Witches" by Roald Dahl, Chapters 1–5
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Ground Zero
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Unteachables
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Though he thinks many students genuinely like the drinks, he says some are attracted to their novelty and drink them with a tinge of irony, joking about being "obsessed" with them.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026
Long before apps like Alarmy, makers of alarm clocks recognized that some of their products needed a tinge of menace.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026
The paper said it was "of no party or faction" and boasted "a tinge of republicanism".
From BBC • Dec. 1, 2025
Still, he also feels a tinge of guilt.
From Salon • Nov. 2, 2025
“There’s even a tinge of blue there. See that?”
From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
