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

If your dishwasher tines have lost their coating and now have rusty, crusty tips, there’s a cap for that! — Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026

Glasses should be placed between tines (not over them), and larger items should be placed on the bottom rack with smaller items on the top shelf. — The Spruce, 29 July 2026

Use a rake with short straight tines to pull up thatch from small areas. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026

One butcher joined the march with the longest carving fork Ursula had ever seen, twin tines glittering sharp overhead. — Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

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
• chine
• cline
• dine
• fein
• fine
• gwine
• hine
• jain
• klein
• kline
• line

Kids Definition

tine

noun

ˈtīn

: a slender pointed part : prong

the tines of a fork