slink

1 of 3

verb

ˈsliŋk 

slunk ˈsləŋk  also slinked ˈsliŋ(k)t  ; slinking

intransitive verb

1

: to go or move stealthily or furtively (as in fear or shame) : steal

2

: to move in a sinuous provocative manner

transitive verb

: to give premature birth to

—used especially of a domestic animal

a cow that slinks her calf

slink

2 of 3

noun

: the young of an animal (such as a calf) brought forth prematurely

also : the flesh or skin of such an animal

slink

3 of 3

adjective

: born prematurely or abortively

a slink calf

Synonyms of slink

Verb

• sneak
• lurk
• slip
• slide

Choose the Right Synonym for slink

lurk, skulk, slink, sneak mean to behave so as to escape attention.

lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent.

suspicious men lurking in alleyways

skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent.

something skulking in the shadows

slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention.

slunk around the corner

sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods.

sneaked out early

Examples of slink in a Sentence

Verb

He slinked away in shame.

like a thief slinking about in the middle of the night

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Once the performers appear, slinking in from the sides of the stage, the show firmly takes shape and eases smoothly from one episode from the Gospels to the next. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026

In the official teaser, Lowen is slinking around the Crawford family house wearing a silk robe while Verity is fast asleep in bed. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026

Noun

At night, though, the patient slinks through the building, attacking fellow rehabilitants. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2026

In videos and photos shared on Friday, January 16, the Avengers: Endgame alum made a radiant entrance in a plunging slink LBD trimmed in black lace at an Outset launch event. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English slincan to creep; akin to Old English slingan to worm, twist

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1607, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1674, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for slink

• blink
• brink
• chink
• cinque
• clink
• dink
• drink
• fink
• hink
• ink
• kink
• klink

Kids Definition

slink

verb

ˈsliŋk

slunk

ˈsləŋk

; slinking

: to move or go sneakily : creep along (as in fear or shame)