noun
dink
dihngk
Dink (noun) means a softly hit shot in tennis, padel, or pickleball that just clears the net. Example: “She won the point with a delicate dink over the net.”
noun
1
A softly hit shot in tennis, padel, or pickleball that just clears the net.
"She won the point with a delicate dink over the net."
2
(informal) A foolish or contemptible person.
"Stop acting like such a dink."
verb
1
To play a soft, gentle shot rather than hitting hard.
"He dinked the ball just past the service line."
How to use dink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gentle, soft-touch shot in racquet sports — or, informally, an insult for someone annoying or foolish.
Common mistake
The sports sense (a soft touch shot) and the insult sense are unrelated in modern use; context makes clear which is meant.
Common pairings
hit a dink
dink shot
dink it over the net
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Word forms
- Plural
- dinks
- Third person singular
- dinks
- Past tense
- dinked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She won the point with a delicate _____ over the net.
Etymology
An imitative word from 1930s American English, echoing the light "dink" sound of a soft tap.
Synonyms
View more →
drop shot
Rhymes for dink
See all rhymes for dink →Frequently asked questions
What does “dink” mean?
The word “dink” means a softly hit shot in tennis, padel, or pickleball that just clears the net. In plain terms, a gentle, soft-touch shot in racquet sports — or, informally, an insult for someone annoying or foolish.
How do you pronounce “dink”?
“Dink” is pronounced dihngk (/dɪŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “dink” in a sentence?
Here is “dink” used in a sentence: “She won the point with a delicate dink over the net.”
What part of speech is “dink”?
Depending on how it is used, “dink” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dink” come from?
The word “dink” dates back to around 1930. An imitative word from 1930s American English, echoing the light "dink" sound of a soft tap.
How many meanings does “dink” have?
“Dink” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a softly hit shot in tennis, padel, or pickleball that just clears the net.
