pink
adj. · n. · v.-
1 the colour (adj.) A1 Beginnerhaving a pale red colour, like the mix of red and white.
denoting a colour of low saturation and high brightness, situated between red and white.
ExampleShe wore a bright pink dress to the summer party.
ExampleThe sky turned a delicate shade of pink as the sun began to dip below the horizon.
- rose
- pale red
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2 the colour itself (n.) A1 Beginnerthe colour that is a mix of red and white.
the hue produced by the combination of red and white light or pigments.
ExamplePink is her favourite colour for decorating the bedroom.
ExampleThe artist used various shades of pink to capture the soft texture of the cherry blossoms.
- rose
- fuchsia
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3 a type of flower (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea small garden flower that is often pink, white, or red.
any of various plants in the genus Dianthus, characterized by fringed petals and a spicy fragrance.
ExampleThe garden was full of sweet-smelling pinks in the early summer.
ExampleHe planted a border of fringed pinks to provide a fragrant edge to the stone pathway.
- dianthus
- carnation
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4 the best condition (n.) C1 Advanced Informalthe highest or best possible state of something, especially health.
the peak or highest degree of a particular state or quality; most common in the idiom 'in the pink of health'.
ExampleAfter his holiday, he looked like he was in the pink of health.
ExampleDespite his advanced age, the retired professor remained in the pink of physical and mental condition.
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5 snooker ball (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate British English Sportthe pink ball in the game of snooker, worth six points.
one of the six coloured object balls in snooker, positioned on the pink spot and carrying a value of six points.
ExampleHe needed to pot the pink to win the frame.
ExampleThe player carefully lined up the shot on the pink, knowing that a miss would give his opponent a chance to clear the table.
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6 to cut fabric (v.) C1 Advanced Technicalto cut the edge of cloth in a zigzag pattern to stop it from fraying.
to cut a decorative notched or zigzag edge on fabric, typically using specialized shears.
ExampleShe used special scissors to pink the edges of the silk scarf.
ExampleThe tailor chose to pink the internal seams of the jacket to prevent the delicate lining from unraveling over time.
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7 engine noise (v.) C2 Proficiency British English Technicalwhen a car engine makes a sharp metallic clicking sound.
to emit a high-pitched metallic knocking sound caused by pre-ignition in an internal combustion engine.
ExampleThe engine started to pink when I tried to drive up the steep hill.
ExampleThe mechanic explained that using low-octane fuel was causing the engine to pink under heavy acceleration.
UsageThe verb is intransitive when describing the engine sound.
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8 politically left-leaning (adj.) C1 Advanced Informalhaving socialist views, but not as extreme as a communist.
holding mildly left-wing or socialist political sympathies; often used as a milder alternative to 'red'.
ExampleThe newspaper was known for its slightly pink political stance.
ExampleDuring the election, the candidate was criticized for his pink tendencies by more conservative members of the party.
- socialist
- left wing
- right wing
Origin uncertain; perhaps from Dutch pinken (“blink”) or the English verb pink from the same source. Perhaps from the notion of the petals being pinked. An earlier word for similar flesh-like colors, mostly displaced by pink, was incarnation.
Unknown. Some lexicographers suggest comparison to regional German Pinke (“minnow; small salmon”), but this is not widely accepted.
Borrowed from Middle Dutch pincke. Compare French pinque.
Probably ultimately imitative, or from Dutch pingelen (“to do fine needlework”) or Low German [Term?]; compare Low German pinken (“hit, peck”) and Pinke (“big needle”).
Onomatopoeic. Compare ping.
Borrowed from Dutch pinken.
Unknown. Attested from the late 15th century.