tinny

American  

[tin-ee] / ˈtɪn i /

adjective

tinnier, tinniest

1. of or like tin.

2. containing tin.

3. lacking in timbre or resonance; sounding thin or twangy.

   a tinny piano.

4. not strong or durable; flimsy; shoddy.

5. having the taste of tin.

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tinny British  

/ ˈtɪnɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling tin

2. cheap, badly made, or shoddy

3. (of a sound) high, thin, and metallic

4. (of food or drink) flavoured with metal, as from a container

5. informal lucky

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noun

1. slang a can of beer

2. Also: tinnie.  informal a small fishing or pleasure boat with an aluminium hull

Other Word Forms

• tinnily adverb
• tinniness noun

Etymology

Origin of tinny

First recorded in 1545–55; tin + -y ¹

Example Sentences

When I get home, Tūtū’s tinny speakers are blasting funk on the lānai, but I don’t go out to join her dance party.

From Literature

It’s low and tinny, but she puts the phone into an empty water glass, which makes the sound louder.

From Literature

A tinny orchestra striking up a tune so familiar it was practically a cliché.

From Literature

Nearly all televisions have small, tinny speakers that make it difficult to hear dialogue, especially for some of us older folk.

From Barron's

“There is not a thing that comes to mind,” was her tinny response, and that gaffe is entirely on the former vice president.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• golden
• silvery