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Dinky: meaning, definitions and examples

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dinky

 

[ ˈdɪŋki ]

Adjective
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

Translations of the word "dinky" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pequeno

🇮🇳 छोटा

🇩🇪 klein

🇮🇩 kecil

🇺🇦 маленький

🇵🇱 mały

🇯🇵 小さい

🇫🇷 petit

🇪🇸 pequeño

🇹🇷 küçük

🇰🇷 작은

🇸🇦 صغير

🇨🇿 malý

🇸🇰 malý

🇨🇳 小的

🇸🇮 majhen

🇮🇸 lítil

🇰🇿 кіші

🇬🇪 პატარა

🇦🇿 kiçik

🇲🇽 pequeño

Etymology

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.

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.