stint
Stint (noun) means a period of time spent doing a particular job or activity. Example: “She did a two-year stint as a volunteer teacher in Kenya.”
How to use stint
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA set period spent doing something, or (as a verb) holding back on giving enough of something.
Word forms
stinted past tense, stints plural, stints plural, stints singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She did a two-year _____ as a volunteer teacher in Kenya.
Etymology
From Old English styntan ("to make blunt"), which developed the sense of limiting or restricting something.
Related words
Rhymes for stint
See all rhymes for stint →Frequently asked questions
What does “stint” mean?
The word “stint” means a period of time spent doing a particular job or activity. In plain terms, a set period spent doing something, or (as a verb) holding back on giving enough of something.
How do you pronounce “stint”?
“Stint” is pronounced stihnt (/stɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “stint” in a sentence?
Here is “stint” used in a sentence: “She did a two-year stint as a volunteer teacher in Kenya.”
What part of speech is “stint”?
Depending on how it is used, “stint” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “stint” come from?
The word “stint” comes from Old English. From Old English styntan ("to make blunt"), which developed the sense of limiting or restricting something.
Is “stint” a common word?
“Stint” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stint” have?
“Stint” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a period of time spent doing a particular job or activity.
What is the difference between a stint and a job?
A stint refers to a period of time spent doing a particular job or activity, often implying it is temporary or fixed in length, such as "a stint in the army." A job is broader and does not necessarily imply a limited duration. Stint emphasizes the time-bound nature of the work or role.
How is stint used as a verb differently from its noun form?
As a noun, stint means a period spent on an activity, as in "a two-year stint abroad." As a verb, stint means to be sparing or stingy with something, as in "don't stint on the details." The two uses are unrelated in meaning despite sharing the same spelling.
What are common phrases that use stint?
Frequent collocations include "a brief stint," "a stint as," "do a stint," and, for the verb form, "stint on" something. These phrases typically describe a defined stretch of work or activity, or a reluctance to give enough of something.