kink

1 of 2

noun

1
: a short tight twist or curl caused by a doubling or winding of something upon itself
2
a
: a mental or physical peculiarity : eccentricity, quirk
b
: whim
3
: a clever unusual way of doing something
4
: a cramp in some part of the body
5
: an imperfection likely to cause difficulties in the operation of something
6
: unconventional sexual taste or behavior

kink

2 of 2

verb

kinked; kinking; kinks

intransitive verb

: to form a kink

transitive verb

: to make a kink in

Examples of kink in a Sentence

Noun got a kink in my neck from lying in that awkward position for too long the boss's fondness for nicknames is one of those kinks that staffers just have to put up with
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Ironing out the kinks in those ideas during the pre-tape table read? Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 July 2025 Pride Month concluded with RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars keeping the kink in Pride! Chris Feil, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Verb
Traditional hoses will kink and coil, and can be really disruptive to an activity that should feel stress free. Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 July 2025 Invest in a cordless leaf blower before the leaves fall, or pick up a stainless-steel hose that won’t kink. Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for kink

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Dutch; akin to Middle Low German kinke kink

First Known Use

Noun

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1625, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of kink was in 1625

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kink. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

kink

1 of 2 noun
1
: a short tight twist or curl (as in a thread, rope, or hose)
2
: cramp entry 1 sense 1
a kink in my back
3
: an imperfection that makes something hard to use or work

kink

2 of 2 verb
: to form or cause to form a kink

Medical Definition

kink

1 of 2 noun
1
: a short tight twist or curl caused by a doubling or winding of something upon itself
2
: a cramp in some part of the body

kink

2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to form a kink

transitive verb

: to make a kink in
blood vessels have been kinked and shut offBenjamin Spock

More from Merriam-Webster on kink

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