adj
dinky
DIHNG-kee
Dinky (adj) means Small in a charming or appealing way. Example: “They live in a dinky little cottage by the coast.”
adj
1
Small in a charming or appealing way.
"They live in a dinky little cottage by the coast."
2
(chiefly disapproving) Small in a way that feels cheap, cramped, or inadequate.
"The apartment turned out to be a dinky studio with barely room for a bed."
How to use dinky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmall — either cutely small or disappointingly small, depending on tone.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with the acronym DINK (Double Income, No Kids), sometimes spelled the same way in casual writing.
Common pairings
dinky little
dinky car
dinky apartment
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Word forms
- Plural
- dinkies
- Comparative
- dinkier
- Superlative
- dinkiest
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.
Class of 1700
dinky joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
