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noun Uncommon

hinge

HIHNJ

Hinge (noun) means a jointed device that lets a door, lid, or gate swing open and closed. Example: “The old gate creaked on its rusty hinge.”

noun
1
A jointed device that lets a door, lid, or gate swing open and closed.
"The old gate creaked on its rusty hinge."
"Oil the hinges so the door stops squeaking."
2
A key point on which something else depends.
"Trust is the hinge on which the whole relationship turns."
verb
1
To depend entirely on something.
"The whole plan hinges on getting the loan approved."
"Her decision hinges on what her family thinks."

How to use hinge

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe metal part that lets a door swing, or (as a verb) to depend completely on one factor.

Common pairings
hinge on door hinge squeaky hinge

Word forms

hinged past tense, hinges plural, Hinges plural, hinges singular

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The old gate creaked on its rusty _____.

Etymology

From Old English henge/henġe, related to "hang."

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for hinge

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hinge” mean?

The word “hinge” means a jointed device that lets a door, lid, or gate swing open and closed. In plain terms, the metal part that lets a door swing, or (as a verb) to depend completely on one factor.

How do you pronounce “hinge”?

“Hinge” is pronounced HIHNJ (/ˈhɪnd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “hinge” in a sentence?

Here is “hinge” used in a sentence: “The old gate creaked on its rusty hinge.”

What is another word for “hinge”?

Words with a similar meaning to “hinge” include quartile.

What part of speech is “hinge”?

Depending on how it is used, “hinge” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “hinge” come from?

The word “hinge” comes from Old English. From Old English henge/henġe, related to "hang.".

Is “hinge” a common word?

“Hinge” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “hinge” have?

“Hinge” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a jointed device that lets a door, lid, or gate swing open and closed.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial