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

Verb

• lurk
• mooch
• mouse
• pussyfoot
• shirk
• skulk
• slide
• slip
• snake
• sneak
• steal

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

In the late afternoons, when the daylight would start to slink behind the clouds, Dante and Vincent would often wander down the dock. —Alexandra Sanidad, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 June 2024

Irony and cynicism slink away with their tails between their legs. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2024

Noun

Unsure whether to strip off her shirt or call the police, Connie slinks around, desperate to shake her shyness but unable to escape the naïveté that still defines her. —Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 8 May 2024

After the second pisco sour, which comes on the heels of rushing out of the lodge in time to see two puma slink into the shadows, no one is worried about anything, least of all my presence on this trip. —Rebecca Misner, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Jan. 2023

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

1750, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

slink

verb

ˈsliŋk

slunk

ˈsləŋk

; slinking

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