English Reference

Word

tint

US/ˈtɪnt/

UK/tˈɪnt/

Definitions

01a slight color

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a small amount of a color that is added to something else.

n. a slight or pale coloration; a tinge of a color.

“The white paint had a slight blue tint to it.”

“The artist added a subtle pink tint to the clouds to capture the atmosphere of the early morning sunrise.”

Synonyms

02hair dye

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a chemical used to change the color of your hair slightly.

n. a dye used to color the hair, typically one that adds a subtle shade rather than a complete change.

“She went to the salon to get a reddish tint for the summer.”

“The stylist recommended a semi-permanent tint to enhance the natural highlights without causing significant damage to the hair follicles.”

Synonyms

03darkened glass

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Informal

n. a dark covering on car windows that stops people from seeing inside.

n. a darkened film or treatment applied to vehicle windows to reduce glare and provide privacy.

“The celebrity's car had a heavy tint on all the windows.”

“Local regulations often limit the darkness of the tint allowed on the front windshield for safety reasons.”

Synonyms

04to color slightly

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to give a small amount of color to something.

v. to apply a small amount of color to something; to tinge.

“The sunset tinted the sky with beautiful shades of orange.”

“The manufacturer decided to tint the glass bottles green to protect the contents from light degradation.”

Synonyms

05color theory

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a lighter version of a color made by adding white to it.

n. a variety of a color produced by adding white to it, distinguished from a shade which is produced by adding black.

“In art class, we learned how to create a tint by mixing white into red.”

“The interior designer selected a series of tints from the same primary hue to create a cohesive yet airy feel throughout the apartment.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“All methods of drawing could be used on the stone, including pen-and-ink, chalk, or crayon, and by about 1830 a watercolour-like wash, applied with a brush, was used to provide tints known as lithotints.”
The Australian Museum 15 Jan 2021

Etymology

Alteration of earlier tinct, influenced by French teinte (“tint”), from Latin tinctus (“dyed”), past participle of verb tingō (“tinge”). Doublet of tent (“kind of red wine”). Cognate with Dutch tint, Estonian tint, French teinte, German Tinte, Hungarian tinta, Italian tinta, Luxembourgish Tintin, Portuguese tinta, and Spanish tinta.

Contraction.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference