Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Slink: meaning, definitions and examples

🐾
Add to dictionary

slink

 

[slɪŋk ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

sly

to move smoothly and silently with a gliding motion

Synonyms

creep, glide, sneak.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
slink

Duplicate of the earlier entry, used when someone is moving quietly and secretly with the intention of avoiding detection, often due to guilt or shame.

  • He tried to slink out of the meeting unnoticed.
  • The cat slinked away after knocking over the vase.
glide

Describes moving smoothly and effortlessly, often implying grace and ease. There is no inherent sense of secrecy or stealth.

  • The swan glided gracefully across the lake.
  • She glided into the room with confidence and poise.
sneak

Indicates moving in a secretive and stealthy way, often to avoid being seen or heard. It can imply the intention of doing something wrong without getting caught.

  • The student tried to sneak a peek at the exam paper.
  • She had to sneak out of the house without waking anyone.
creep

Refers to moving slowly, often quietly and with a sense of unease or fear. It can imply a feeling of discomfort or sneakiness.

  • She felt a sense of dread as she noticed a spider creeping up the wall.
  • He decided to creep up behind his friend to surprise him.

Examples of usage

  • The cat slinked through the shadows towards its prey.
  • She slinked out of the room before anyone noticed.
Context #2 | Noun

derogatory

a person regarded as cowardly or despicable

Synonyms

coward, despicable person, sneak.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
slink

This word is used to describe someone moving in a smooth, sneaky, or secretive manner, often to avoid being noticed or out of fear or guilt.

  • He tried to slink out of the room without being seen
coward

This word is used in a negative way to describe someone who lacks courage and is excessively afraid of danger or pain.

  • He was branded a coward for not standing up to the bully
despicable person

This phrase is used to describe someone who is morally reprehensible and worthy of contempt. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • Only a despicable person would take advantage of the elderly
sneak

This word characterizes someone who moves quietly and secretly to avoid being noticed, often to do something dishonest or unauthorized.

  • He had to sneak past his parents' room to get to the party

Examples of usage

  • He's such a slink, always avoiding confrontation.
  • Don't be a slink, stand up for yourself!

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term originates from the Old Norse word 'slinka,' which means 'to sneak away.'
  • Its first known use dates back to the 15th century.
  • The word has evolved from a literal sense of sneaking to describe anything done in a quiet, stealthy manner.

Animal Behavior

  • Cats often exhibit slinking behavior when stalking prey or during playful ambushes.
  • Dogs may slink away when they feel ashamed or scared, like after being scolded.
  • Slinking is also seen in various animals as a natural defense mechanism against predators.

Pop Culture

  • In animated films, characters often 'slink' away for comedic effect, like in sneaky heist scenes.
  • The dance move known as 'slink' is characterized by smooth, sneaky movements, reflecting the word's meaning.
  • The character of Slinky Dog from Toy Story embodies a friendly personality but also displays slinking movements when hesitating.

Psychology

  • Slinking behavior can denote feelings of guilt or shame, as individuals might move quietly to avoid drawing attention.
  • Body language experts suggest that someone who slinks may lack confidence or be attempting to conceal something.
  • Observing how individuals slink can provide insights into their emotional state during social interactions.

Literature

  • Many authors use slinking as a descriptive term to illustrate a character’s stealth or sneaky intentions.
  • In Gothic literature, characters might slink through dark corridors, revealing their sinister motives.
  • Slipping in and out of scenes with slinking movements can create suspense and tension in storytelling.

Translations

Translations of the word "slink" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ligação

🇮🇳 संबंध

🇩🇪 Verbindung

🇮🇩 tautan

🇺🇦 зв'язок

🇵🇱 połączenie

🇯🇵 リンク

🇫🇷 lien

🇪🇸 enlace

🇹🇷 bağlantı

🇰🇷 연결

🇸🇦 رابط

🇨🇿 spojení

🇸🇰 spojenie

🇨🇳 链接

🇸🇮 povezava

🇮🇸 tengsl

🇰🇿 байланыс

🇬🇪 ბმული

🇦🇿 əlaqə

🇲🇽 enlace

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,876 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.