tint

American  

[tint] / tɪnt /

noun

1. a color or a variety of a color; hue.

2. a color diluted with white; a color of less than maximum purity, chromo, or saturation.

3. a delicate or pale color.

4. any of various commercial dyes for the hair.

5. Engraving. a uniform shading, as that produced by a series of fine parallel lines.

6. Also called tint block.  Printing. a faintly or lightly colored background upon which an illustration or the like is to be printed.

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verb (used with object)

1. to apply a tint or tints to; color slightly or delicately; tinge.

tint British  

/ tɪnt /

noun

1. a shade of a colour, esp a pale one

2. a colour that is softened or desaturated by the addition of white

3. a tinge

4. a semipermanent dye for the hair

5. a trace or hint

   a tint of jealousy in his voice

6. engraving uniform shading, produced esp by hatching

7. printing a panel of colour serving as a background to letters or other matter

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verb

1. (tr) to colour or tinge

2. (tr) to change or influence slightly

   his answer was tinted by his prior knowledge

3. (intr) to acquire a tint

Other Word Forms

• nontinted adjective
• overtint verb
• retint verb (used with object)
• tinter noun
• untinted adjective
• well-tinted adjective

Etymology

Origin of tint

First recorded in 1710–20; variant of tinct

Example Sentences

The basket reeds often develop a reddish tint at the bottom part of the plant when they’re drying.

From Los Angeles Times

The stocky build had dwindled to slimness, the thick silver hair tinted black, and the distinctive Ashton nose altered with putty, but those dark and penetrating eyes would be impossible to mistake.

From Literature

The film represents her depression by coating the night scenes in so much blue tint that even Picasso might suggest dialing it back.

From Los Angeles Times

Minutes later, four men poured out of an unmarked SUV with tinted windows.

From Salon

According to the York team, light traveling through space could acquire a slight red or blue tint depending on the kind of dark matter it encounters.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• coloration
• complexion
• glow
• hue
• tinge