dinky
Dinky (adj) means Small in a charming or appealing way. Example: “They live in a dinky little cottage by the coast.”
How to use dinky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmall — either cutely small or disappointingly small, depending on tone.
Don't confuse with the acronym DINK (Double Income, No Kids), sometimes spelled the same way in casual writing.
Word forms
dinkier comparative, dinkies plural, dinkies plural, dinkiest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They live in a _____ little cottage by the coast.
Etymology
From 18th-century Scots "dink" meaning neat or trim, which drifted in meaning from "dainty" to "small" before gaining the "-y" ending.
Rhymes for dinky
See all rhymes for dinky →Frequently asked questions
What does “dinky” mean?
The word “dinky” means small in a charming or appealing way. In plain terms, small — either cutely small or disappointingly small, depending on tone.
How do you pronounce “dinky”?
“Dinky” is pronounced DIHNG-kee (/ˈdɪŋki/ in IPA).
How do you use “dinky” in a sentence?
Here is “dinky” used in a sentence: “They live in a dinky little cottage by the coast.”
What part of speech is “dinky”?
“Dinky” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dinky” come from?
The word “dinky” dates back to around 1700. From 18th-century Scots "dink" meaning neat or trim, which drifted in meaning from "dainty" to "small" before gaining the "-y" ending.
How many meanings does “dinky” have?
“Dinky” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: small in a charming or appealing way.