verb
slink
slihngk
Slink (verb) means to move quietly and furtively, often out of guilt, embarrassment, or a wish not to be noticed. Example: “He slunk out of the meeting the moment his phone started buzzing.”
verb
1
To move quietly and furtively, often out of guilt, embarrassment, or a wish not to be noticed.
"He slunk out of the meeting the moment his phone started buzzing."
"The cat slinked along the wall, avoiding the dog."
How to use slink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo sneak somewhere quietly, usually because you feel awkward or don't want to be seen.
Common mistake
Past tense is "slunk," not "slinked," in most formal usage, though "slinked" does appear informally.
Common pairings
slink away
slink off
slink out of the room
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Word forms
- Plural
- slinks
- Third person singular
- slinks
- Past tense
- slunk, slinked, slank
- Comparative
- more slink
- Superlative
- most slink
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cat _____ along the wall, avoiding the dog.
Etymology
From Old English slincan, meaning "to creep or crawl," related to words like "sleek."
Rhymes for slink
See all rhymes for slink →Frequently asked questions
What does “slink” mean?
The word “slink” means to move quietly and furtively, often out of guilt, embarrassment, or a wish not to be noticed. In plain terms, to sneak somewhere quietly, usually because you feel awkward or don't want to be seen.
How do you pronounce “slink”?
“Slink” is pronounced slihngk (/slɪŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “slink” in a sentence?
Here is “slink” used in a sentence: “The cat slinked along the wall, avoiding the dog.”
What part of speech is “slink”?
“Slink” is a verb.
Where does the word “slink” come from?
The word “slink” comes from Old English. From Old English slincan, meaning "to creep or crawl," related to words like "sleek.".
