kink
1 of 2noun
ˈkiŋk 
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 2verb
kinked; kinking; kinks
intransitive verb
: to form a kink
transitive verb
: to make a kink in
Synonyms
Noun
- charley horse
- cramp
- crick
- spasm
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 25 Aug. 2022 These steps work well in the plant’s normal environment, but a kink in the process due to an external factor like heat can derail the whole thing. Wired, 6 July 2022 Any long-term absence to Kershaw would put a major kink in those plans, with the start of the playoffs a little more than two months away. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2022 Ospreys fly with a marked kink in their wings, making an M-shape when seen from below, the site also noted. Maureen Mackey, Fox News, 24 July 2022 Diane experiments with kink; Liz has her first interracial fling; and the show’s Black Republican, Julius, grows a moral spine. Emily Nussbaum, The New Yorker, 13 June 2022 This Flop, Rolling Stone‘s podcast about internet news and culture, such behavior is characteristic of a breeding kink. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2022 These pretty, super-soft ties are strong enough to keep your look taut, but won't tug or leave a kink in your hair when removed. Lindy Segal, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 July 2022 Within minutes of the show’s finale, Instagram was flooded with nearly identical source imagery from the world of kink. New York Times, 22 June 2022 Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 Testers found that the hose did kink a bit, but the kinks straightened out quickly. Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2022 Try this weeding tool that gets in between paver crevices or the Flexzilla garden hose that promises not to kink. Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2022 From minimal to full-on bondage, leather harnesses are an easy way to kink up any outfit, even workwear. Frances Solá-santiago, refinery29.com, 27 Apr. 2022 Consider 3103 Spenard Road, where that crooked road begins to kink its way toward Minnesota Drive. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Aug. 2021 Wires may sag and cause operating issues, and tracks can expand and potentially kink. oregonlive, 30 July 2021 Pinch the horizontal wire with a pair of linesman pliers, then rotate your hand to kink the wire tight. Ryan D'agostino, Popular Mechanics, 6 Mar. 2021 This hose isn't going to break, fray, kink or get tangled up. Christine Persaud, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2021 See More
Noun
The body itself is less chunky than the concept's, but the upwards kink on the window line has carried over. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 25 Aug. 2022 These steps work well in the plant’s normal environment, but a kink in the process due to an external factor like heat can derail the whole thing. Wired, 6 July 2022 Any long-term absence to Kershaw would put a major kink in those plans, with the start of the playoffs a little more than two months away. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2022 Ospreys fly with a marked kink in their wings, making an M-shape when seen from below, the site also noted. Maureen Mackey, Fox News, 24 July 2022 Diane experiments with kink; Liz has her first interracial fling; and the show’s Black Republican, Julius, grows a moral spine. Emily Nussbaum, The New Yorker, 13 June 2022 This Flop, Rolling Stone‘s podcast about internet news and culture, such behavior is characteristic of a breeding kink. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2022 These pretty, super-soft ties are strong enough to keep your look taut, but won't tug or leave a kink in your hair when removed. Lindy Segal, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 July 2022 Within minutes of the show’s finale, Instagram was flooded with nearly identical source imagery from the world of kink. New York Times, 22 June 2022 Verb
The hose was sturdy, with a great grip, and did not kink at all. Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 Testers found that the hose did kink a bit, but the kinks straightened out quickly. Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2022 Try this weeding tool that gets in between paver crevices or the Flexzilla garden hose that promises not to kink. Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2022 From minimal to full-on bondage, leather harnesses are an easy way to kink up any outfit, even workwear. Frances Solá-santiago, refinery29.com, 27 Apr. 2022 Consider 3103 Spenard Road, where that crooked road begins to kink its way toward Minnesota Drive. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Aug. 2021 Wires may sag and cause operating issues, and tracks can expand and potentially kink. oregonlive, 30 July 2021 Pinch the horizontal wire with a pair of linesman pliers, then rotate your hand to kink the wire tight. Ryan D'agostino, Popular Mechanics, 6 Mar. 2021 This hose isn't going to break, fray, kink or get tangled up. Christine Persaud, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Dutch; akin to Middle Low German kinke kink
First Known Use
Noun
1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1697, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Kids Definition
kink
noun
ˈkiŋk
1
: a short tight twist or curl (as in a thread or hose)
2
: cramp entry 1 sense 1
I've got a kink in my back.
3
: an imperfection that makes something hard to use or work We need more rehearsals to work out the kinks.
Medical Definition
kink 1 of 2
noun
ˈkiŋk
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 2intransitive verb
: to form a kink
transitive verb
: to make a kink in
blood vessels have been kinked and shut off Benjamin Spock
Benjamin Spockkinks 1 of 2
noun
1
as in cramps
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle got a kink in my neck from lying in that awkward position for too long Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- cramps
- spasms
- cricks
- contractions
- stitches
- jerks
- pangs
- charley horses
- twitches
- twinges
2
as in tricks
an odd or peculiar habit the boss's fondness for nicknames is one of those kinks that staffers just have to put up with Synonyms & Similar Words
- tricks
- quirks
- idiosyncrasies
- twists
- eccentricities
- habits
- characteristics
- singularities
- peculiarities
- traits
- oddities
- mannerisms
- curiosities
- tics
- crotchets
- tendencies
- individualisms
- erraticisms
- quiddities
- quips
- patterns
- perversions
- practices
- characters
- affectations
- ways
- attributes
- abnormalities
- properties
- addictions
- attitudes
- bents
- personalities
- customs
- proclivities
- airs
- inclinations
- predilections
- penchants
- identities
- leanings
- predispositions
- marks
- partialities
- wonts
- neuroticisms
- humors
- practises
- propensities
- individualities
- temperaments
- geniuses
- turns
- natures
- dispositions
- genii
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- conformities
3
as in whims
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action whenever he got a kink in his head, he'd drop whatever he was doing to pursue this latest obsession Synonyms & Similar Words
- whims
- notions
- vagaries
- fantasies
- whimsies
- caprices
- thoughts
- freaks
- vagrancies
- pictures
- maggots
- humors
- fancies
- cranks
- megrims
- bees
- concepts
- whimsicalities
- impressions
- bees in one's bonnet
- whimseys
- conceptions
- images
- conceits
- phantasies
- brainstorms
- impetuosities
- inspirations
- mind's eyes
kinks
2 of 2verb
as in coils
Synonyms & Similar Words
- coils
- loops
- twists
- warps
- curls
- swirls
- spirals
- twines
- arcs
- dents
- curves
- turns
- deflects
- waves
- reflects
- entwines
- dimples
- veers
- winds
- incurves
- incurvates
- enrolls
- inflects
- bends
- rounds
- diverts
- meanders
- arches
- crooks
- slopes
- hooks
- weaves
- bows
- enrols
- inclines
- swerves
- declines
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- straightens
- unbends
- uncurls