Definition of JINK

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Verb

The investigation into the origins of jink begins with documents from 18th century Scotland. Unfortunately, they contain no clear indication of how this shifty little word was formed. What can be said with certainty is that the word has always expressed a quick or unexpected motion. For instance, in two poems from 1785, Robert Burns uses the verb to indicate both the quick motion of a fiddler's elbow and the sudden disappearance of a cheat around a corner. In the 20th century, the verb caught on with air force pilots and rugby players, who began using it to describe their elusive maneuvers to dodge opponents and enemies. Jink can also be used as a noun meaning "a quick evasive turn" or, in its plural form, "pranks." (Etymologists are quite certain that the latter use is connected with the term high jinks.)

Examples of jink in a Sentence

Verb

jinking here and there with remarkable agility, the thieving urchin frustrated all attempts to catch him

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

After Harry Kane missed a penalty, Salah produced a piece of magic in the 91st minute worthy of winning any game, jinking in-between numerous Spurs defenders and chipping it over Hugo Lloris in true 'Lionel Messi' fashion. — SI.com, "Mo Salah Makes Young Fan's Day Despite Crushing Late Kane Penalty in Draw With Tottenham," 5 Feb. 2018 The Algerian jinked for space on the right side and cut back onto his left foot, before curling a wonderful cross to the back post. — SI.com, "Leicester 1-0 Sheffield United: Vardy's Header the Difference as Foxes Fly Into FA Cup Last 8," 16 Feb. 2018 Butragueno was now toying with the Danish defence, turning and jinking. — SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 8 Weeks to Go - Emilio 'the Vulture' Butragueño Picks Apart Denmark," 29 Apr. 2018 The fourth goal came from the same source–a long ball flicked on with his heel by Trent Alexander-Arnold for Salah, who jinked by Jesus and crossed for Firmino to tap in his 50th Liverpool goal. — Jonathan Wilson, SI.com, "Salah, Liverpool Overwhelm Roma, But Leave Door Open for Another UCL Comeback," 24 Apr. 2018 Bolasie jinked inside, curled a cross towards the far post for Walcott and Bong, in an attempt to prevent the forward notching, guided the ball past Ryan. — SI.com, "Everton Ends Brighton's Unbeaten Run in Dominant Goodison Display," 10 Mar. 2018 But Watford was back in front two minutes later as Daryl Janmaat collected the ball on the right before jinking into the box, exchanging passes with Roberto Pereyra and keeping his cool to finish past Courtois. — USA TODAY, "Chelsea's Premier League struggles continue in rout to Watford," 5 Feb. 2018 Mkhitaryan played in Ozil, who jinked his way through and saw his shot burst through the hands of the hapless Keita and bobble into the net. — Jed Court/afp, chicagotribune.com, "Arsenal rout Ostersunds, Batshuayi leads Dortmund comeback in Europa League," 15 Feb. 2018 Philippe Coutinho, from a jinking solo run, and Dejan Lovren had already netted in the opening 26 minutes and Salah's goal put Liverpool 3-0 ahead at halftime. — USA TODAY, "Salah reaches 20 goals as Liverpool thrashes Bournemouth 4-0," 17 Dec. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

No athletes sent home following a night of drunken high-jinks as snowboarder Scotty Lago was in 2010. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Americans well behaved at Olympics following previous incidents," 21 Feb. 2018 Last Call: Catch the hilarious hi-jinks of the Last Call Cleveland sketch comedy troupe in four performances at the Outcalt Theatre in Playhouse Square. — Michael K. Mcintyre, cleveland.com, "Jay Larson tells stories with punchlines and poignancy at Hilarities this weekend," 18 Jan. 2018 Which is exactly what Logan Lucky delivers, an engaging and self-aware retread of past high jinks. — Richard Lawson, HWD, "Logan Lucky Review: A Southern-Fried Ocean’s Eleven That Goes Down Easy," 26 July 2017 Against the vibrant sights and jazzy sounds of the city’s music scene, raunchy high jinks ensue, old grudges resurface and the enduring power of friendship is both tested and reasserted. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "Tiffany Haddish is a comic revelation in the sweet, sexy and hilarious 'Girls Trip'," 20 July 2017 Connecticut Repertory Theatre has assembled a confident, contortionist cast to attempt this high-wire act of low-brow high jinks. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "CT Rep's Uneven 'Noises Off' Is Exceptional," 19 June 2017 All of their high jinks and the time spent on creating the comic books have attracted the wrath of the school’s principal, Mr. Krupp (Ed Helms). — Rick Bentley, sacbee.com, "The many jokes are elementary in ‘Underpants’," 1 June 2017 Stone is eager to be at the center of political high jinks. — Ryan Lizza, The New Yorker, "Trump’s “Good Job” Call to Roger Stone," 31 May 2017 The Heffleys are forced to endure a series of relentless, ever-escalating high jinks, including a recurring thread pitting them against another family where neither comes out looking good, and one with a pig just to make things extra crazy. — Lindsey Bahr, kansascity.com, "Charmless ‘Wimpy Kid 4’ is a long, gross haul," 17 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'jink.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.