tine

1 of 2

noun

ˈtīn 

1

: a slender pointed projecting part : prong

2

: a pointed branch of an antler

tined

ˈtīnd 

adjective

tine

2 of 2

verb

tined ˈtīnd  or tint ˈtint  ; tining ˈtī-niŋ 

transitive verb

dialectal British : lose

intransitive verb

dialectal British : to become lost

Examples of tine in a Sentence

Noun

One of the fork's tines was bent.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But in his defense, Paul always claimed that outfielder Charlie Spikes, the principal player going back to Cleveland, was the Yankees top prospect at the tine who just didn’t pan out. —Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026

Some dishwasher racks have adjustable tines to accommodate oversized items. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026

Small tools can be placed in the utensil basket or slipped upright over the tines in the racks. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026

Place ingredients in a bowl and mash with the tines of a fork. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tind, from Old English; akin to Old High German zint point, tine

Verb

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse tȳna to lose, destroy, tjōn injury, loss — more at teen entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for tine

• brine
• cline
• dine
• fein
• fine
• gwine
• hine
• jain
• klein
• kline
• line
• mine

Kids Definition

tine

noun

ˈtīn

: a slender pointed part : prong

the tines of a fork