DINKY (dinkier, dinkiest)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: dinkier    , dinkiest   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does dinky mean? 

• DINKY (noun)
  The noun DINKY has 1 sense:

1. a small locomotive

  Familiarity information: DINKY used as a noun is very rare.

• DINKY (adjective)
  The adjective DINKY has 2 senses:

1. small and unimpressive

2. (British informal) pretty and neat

  Familiarity information: DINKY used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DINKY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A small locomotive

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

dinkey; dinky

Hypernyms ("dinky" is a kind of...):

engine; locomotive; locomotive engine; railway locomotive (a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks)

• DINKY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Small and unimpressive

Synonyms:

dinky; insignificant

Context example:

an insignificant sum of money

Similar:

little; small (limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent)

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(British informal) pretty and neat

Context example:

what a dinky little hat

Similar:

attractive (pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm)

Domain region:

Britain; Great Britain; U.K.; UK; United Kingdom; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; 'Great Britain' is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom)

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)