kink

1 of 2

noun

1
: a short tight twist or curl caused by a doubling or winding of something upon itself
2
a
: a mental or physical peculiarity : eccentricity, quirk
b
: whim
3
: a clever unusual way of doing something
4
: a cramp in some part of the body
5
: an imperfection likely to cause difficulties in the operation of something
6
: unconventional sexual taste or behavior

kink

2 of 2

verb

kinked; kinking; kinks

intransitive verb

: to form a kink

transitive verb

: to make a kink in

Examples of kink in a Sentence

Noun got a kink in my neck from lying in that awkward position for too long the boss's fondness for nicknames is one of those kinks that staffers just have to put up with
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Federal authorities are investigating. —Google Gemini 2.0 may arrive before the end of the year, if the team can work out performance kinks. Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024 Having a shame-free relationship that includes kinks can manifest in many ways. Myisha Battle, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
Resolve this issue by first checking which water supply line is kinked. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024 Flush the Water Supply Lines The water supply lines are at risk of kinking and becoming clogged with sediment, scale buildup, and debris. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kink 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Dutch; akin to Middle Low German kinke kink

First Known Use

Noun

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1625, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of kink was in 1625

Dictionary Entries Near kink

Cite this Entry

“Kink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kink. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

kink

1 of 2 noun
1
: a short tight twist or curl (as in a thread, rope, or hose)
2
: cramp entry 1 sense 1
a kink in my back
3
: an imperfection that makes something hard to use or work

kink

2 of 2 verb
: to form or cause to form a kink

Medical Definition

kink

1 of 2 noun
1
: a short tight twist or curl caused by a doubling or winding of something upon itself
2
: a cramp in some part of the body

kink

2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to form a kink

transitive verb

: to make a kink in
blood vessels have been kinked and shut offBenjamin Spock

More from Merriam-Webster on kink

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