# pinky

/ˈpɪŋki/ (US) · /pˈɪŋki/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pinky
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the smallest finger

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

the smallest finger on your hand, furthest from your thumb.

For teachers: the fifth and smallest digit of the human hand. Informal in register but standard in many English-speaking regions.

- He wore a small gold ring on his left pinky.
- She extended her pinky while sipping her tea, a habit her grandmother had taught her to signify politeness.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'pinky swear' to describe a promise made by locking fingers.

### 2. a baby mouse

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a very young mouse that does not have fur yet, often used to feed pet snakes.

For teachers: a newborn, hairless mouse or rat, typically used as a feeder animal for captive reptiles.

- The pet shop sells frozen pinkies for people who own snakes.
- The herpetologist carefully offered a thawed pinky to the juvenile python using a pair of long feeding tongs.

### 3. pinkish

adjective · CEFR B2

having a light pink colour.

For teachers: possessing a pale pink hue or tint; somewhat pink.

- The sky turned a pinky orange as the sun went down.
- The artist mixed a small amount of crimson into the white to achieve a delicate, pinky flesh tone for the portrait.

## Examples

- She wears a small gold ring on her pinky.
- He accidentally stubbed his pinky against the corner of the wooden table while walking in the dark.
- In some cultures, hooking one's pinky with another person's signifies a solemn promise, a gesture often used by children to seal a pact.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.