Chink — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb noun or adjective /ˈchiŋk/

Meaning & Definition of Chink

Chink (noun)

  1. a small cleft, slit, or fissure
  2. a weak spot that may leave one vulnerable
  3. a narrow beam of light shining through a chink
  4. coin, money
  5. a short sharp sound

Chink (verb)

  1. to fill the chinks of (as by caulking)
  2. to make a slight sharp metallic sound
  3. to cause to make a chink

Chink (noun or adjective)

  1. —used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a person of Chinese birth or descent

Chink (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a vulnerable point

    "before the tournament she studied tapes of her chief rival, looking for the chink in her game"

    similar: Achilles' heel, back, jugular, soft spot, underbelly
    related: downfall, ruin, undoing, hamartia, tragic flaw

  2. an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure

    "plugged the chinks in the walls with mortar"

    similar: check, cleft, crack, cranny, crevice, fissure, rift, split
    related: crevasse, craze, hairline, fracture, rupture, breach, gap, opening, cut, gash, incision, slit

Chink (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a repeated sharp light ringing sound

    "in the breeze the flag's chain chinked against the flagpole"

    similar: clink, jingle, tingle, tinkle
    related: clang, clangor, clank, clash, crash, clack, clatter, rattle, chime, ding, ding-dong, gong, jangle, ping, plink, ring

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Chink

The most common words with a similar meaning to Chink:

Achilles' heel, back, jugular, soft spot, underbelly, check, cleft, crack, cranny, crevice, fissure, rift, split, clink, jingle, tingle, tinkle

Related Words for Chink

downfall, ruin, undoing, hamartia, tragic flaw, crevasse, craze, hairline, fracture, rupture, breach, gap, opening, cut, gash, incision, slit, clang, clangor, clank, clash, crash, clack, clatter, rattle, chime, ding, ding-dong, gong, jangle

Word Forms of Chink

Inflections: chinked, chinking, chinks

Origin & Etymology of Chink

probably alteration of Middle English chine crack, fissure

First known use: 1545

Frequently Asked Questions about Chink

What does "Chink" mean?

"Chink" means a small cleft, slit, or fissure. As an a noun, a verb and a noun or adjective, it is defined as: a small cleft, slit, or fissure. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Chink"?

Other words for "Chink" include Achilles' heel, back, jugular, soft spot, underbelly, check, cleft and crack. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Chink" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Chink"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Chink". Common alternatives include Achilles' heel, back, jugular, soft spot, underbelly, check, cleft, crack, cranny and crevice.

How do you use "Chink" in a sentence?

Examples of "Chink" in a sentence: "before the tournament she studied tapes of her chief rival, looking for the chink in her game"; "plugged the chinks in the walls with mortar"; "in the breeze the flag's chain chinked against the flagpole".

Is "Chink" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Chink" can be used as a noun, a verb and a noun or adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Chink"?

"Chink" is pronounced /ˈchiŋk/.

What is the origin of the word "Chink"?

"Chink" comes from probably alteration of Middle English chine crack, fissure. First known use: 1545.

What is another word for "Chink" meaning "a vulnerable point"?

When "Chink" (noun) means a vulnerable point, synonyms include Achilles' heel, back, jugular, soft spot and underbelly.