pink

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈpiŋk 

: a ship with a narrow overhanging stern

called also pinkie

pink

2 of 5

noun (2)

1

: any of a genus (Dianthus of the family Caryophyllaceae, the pink family) of chiefly Eurasian herbs having usually pink, red, or white flowers

2

a

: the very embodiment : paragon

b(1)

: one dressed in the height of fashion

(2)

: elite

c

: highest degree possible : height

keep their house in the pink of repair

—Rebecca West

pink

3 of 5

noun (3)

1

: any of a group of colors bluish red to red in hue, of medium to high lightness, and of low to moderate saturation

2

a

: the scarlet color of a fox hunter's coat

also : a fox hunter's coat of this color

b

: pink-colored clothing

c

pinks plural : light-colored trousers formerly worn by army officers

3

: pinko

pink

4 of 5

adjective

1

: of the color pink

2

: holding moderately radical and usually socialistic political or economic views

3

: emotionally moved : excited

—often used as an intensive

tickled pink

pinkness noun

pink

5 of 5

verb

pinked; pinking; pinks

transitive verb

1

a

: to perforate in an ornamental pattern

b

: to cut a saw-toothed edge on

2

a

: pierce, stab

b

: to wound by irony, criticism, or ridicule

Phrases

in the pink

: in the best of health or condition

Did you know?

The verb pink referring to perforation and piercing is from a Middle English word meaning "to thrust." It dates to the early 16th century whereas the noun referring to the color pink and its related adjective date to the 17th and 18th centuries, respectively.

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• A-list
• aristocracy
• best
• choice
• corps d'elite
• cream
• crème de la crème
• elect
• elite
• fat
• flower
• illuminati
• pick
• pride
• priesthood
• prime
• royalty
• upper crust

Verb

• gore
• harpoon
• impale
• jab
• lance
• peck
• pick
• pierce
• puncture
• run through
• skewer
• spear
• spike
• spit
• stab
• stick
• transfix
• transpierce

Examples of pink in a Sentence

Adjective

Her dress is pale pink.

Verb

accidentally pinked my shoulder with his fencing sword

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Pick it up in four solid colors (black, light blue, khaki, and hot pink), or two striped varieties. —Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024

The colors represent different temperatures of interstellar dust: Green indicates cool, dense dust; pink indicates warmer dust. —Dennis Overbye, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Middle Dutch pinke

Noun (2)

origin unknown

Verb

Middle English, to thrust

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

circa 1669, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pink

• clove pink
• get the pink slip
• give (someone) the pink slip
• in the pink
• marsh pink
• moss pink
• mullein pink
• pink bollworm
• pink-collar
• pink elephants
• pink eye
• pink lady
• pink noise
• pink salmon
• pink sheet
• pink slip
• rose pink
• salmon pink
• sea pink
• shell pink
• shocking pink
• tickled pink
• wild pink

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

pink

1 of 3 noun

ˈpiŋk 

1

: any of a genus of herbs that have narrow leaves and are often grown for their showy usually pink flowers produced singly or in clusters

2

: the highest degree

athletes in the pink of condition

pink

2 of 3 noun

: a pale red

pink adjective

pinkish

ˈpiŋ-kish

adjective

pinkness noun

pink

3 of 3 verb

: to cut cloth, leather, or paper in an ornamental pattern or with a saw-toothed edge

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

Verb

from earlier pink "stab, pierce," from Middle English pinken "to thrust"