dinkum

1 of 2

adjective

din·​kum ˈdiŋ-kəm How to pronounce dinkum (audio)
Australia and New Zealand
: authentic, genuine
often used with fair
I was fair dinkum about my interest in their culturePercy Trezise

dinkum

2 of 2

adverb

Australia and New Zealand
: truly, honestly
often used with fair
often used interjectionally

Examples of dinkum in a Sentence

Adjective somewhat surprised to learn that our guide through the outback was a fair dinkum crocodile hunter

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

English dialect dinkum, noun, work, share of work

First Known Use

Adjective

1905, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dinkum was in 1905

Dictionary Entries Near dinkum

Cite this Entry

“Dinkum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dinkum. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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