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Dinky Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dinky

dinky

🇺🇸 /ˈdɪŋki/ · 🇬🇧 /dˈɪŋki/

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

informal usage

The term 'dinky' is often used to describe something that is small and somewhat insignificant. It can refer to objects, places, or even situations. Although it carries a somewhat affectionate tone, it can also suggest that something is not very impressive or robust. In British English, it is sometimes associated with things that appear cute but are not necessarily functional. People might use it to express mild disdain for something that seems trivial.

Synonyms

insignificant, petite, small, tiny.

Examples of usage

  • That car is so dinky!
  • He lives in a dinky little apartment.
  • She has a dinky collection of toys.
  • I don't want a dinky gift.

Translations

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Quick facts about “dinky”

Dinky is a 1-syllable adjective. It is pronounced /ˈdɪŋki/ in American English and /dˈɪŋki/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 4 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #36,627 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'dinky'

The word 'dinky' originated in the late 19th century and is believed to have informal British roots. It is thought to have derived from the word 'dink' or 'dinky-di', which were used in various dialects to denote something silly or inferior. Its use has evolved over the years, with the term gaining popularity in casual conversation to describe items or situations that are charmingly small or underwhelming. In modern English, it can carry a somewhat humorous or affectionate connotation, often employed to describe things that are delightful yet small in size. It remains a part of informal parlance in both British and American English, often used in the context of endearing or trivial things.

Rhymes

Dinky rhymes with twinkie, inky, kinky, pinky, stinky, slinky, pinkie and prinkey.

See all rhymes →

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,627, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.