kink
kink
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "kink" is:
/ˈkɪŋk/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
kin (first syllable):
/k/ - voiceless velar plosive (similar to the "k" sound in "key")
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (similar to the "i" sound in "sit")
(k) (silent second "k")
(final sound)
/ŋ/ - velar nasal (similar to the "ng" sound at the end of "sing")
Word Form Variations
The word "kink" has a few variations depending on how you use it in a sentence, but it doesn't have many conjugations like some verbs do. Here's the breakdown:
Singular: kink (This is the base form you'd use in most cases)
Plural: kinks (This is used when referring to multiple "kinks")
Present Tense Verb: kinks (This is less common, but you can use "kink" as a verb to mean "to develop a kink." For example, "The hose kinked as I was watering the plants.")
Past Tense Verb: kinked (This is the past tense of the verb form "to kink")
Present Participle: kinking (This is the ongoing form of the verb, indicating the action is happening now. For example, "She's kinking the hose to try and get the water to flow better.")
Past Participle: kinked (This can be used with helping verbs like "have" to form the perfect tenses. For example, "We've kinked the hose again.")
Note: The second "k" in "kink" is silent in all these forms.
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
A sharp bend or twist in something flexible:
Synonyms: curl, loop, wrinkle, fold, crimp
Antonyms: straightness, smoothness
Example: "There's a kink in the garden hose, so the water isn't flowing properly."
A brief, localised pain or stiffness in a muscle:
Synonyms: cramp, crick, ache, twinge
Antonyms: relaxation, looseness
Example: "I slept on my neck wrong and woke up with a kink."
A minor problem or difficulty that needs to be addressed:
Synonyms: snag, glitch, hitch, hurdle, imperfection
Antonyms: solution, smoothness, efficiency
Example: "There are still a few kinks to work out of the new software before launch."
(Informal) Unconventional or non-standard sexual preferences or practices:
Synonyms: fetish, fantasy, turn-on
Antonyms: vanilla (referring to standard practices), mainstream
Example (Note: Due to the sensitive nature of this definition, it's best to use it with caution and awareness of the context): "He wasn't interested in anything too kinky in the bedroom."
Examples of Use
Noun (Bend/Twist):
Book: "He knelt down and examined the rope. There was a nasty kink near the end, right where it would chafe against his shoulder." (A.C. Doyle, The Sign of Four)
Newspaper: "The crew spent the next hour trying to iron out the kinks in the new traffic light system, causing rush hour delays." (Los Angeles Times)
Online Publication: "Follow these tips to prevent kinks in your garden hose and keep your watering hassle-free." (The Spruce)
Noun (Muscle Pain):
Entertainment Medium (Movie): "Ugh, I slept on my neck funny. I have a terrible kink in it now." (Character dialogue in a comedy film)
Public Discourse: "Yoga is a great way to loosen up tight muscles and relieve kinks in your back." (Fitness instructor leading a group class)
Noun (Problem):
Online Publication: "The developers are working on fixing the last few kinks in the beta version of the game before its official release." (Tech news website)
General Public Discourse: "There's a bit of a kink in our plans, but I'm sure we can figure out a solution." (Someone discussing a travel delay)
Verb (Informal - Bend/Twist):
Entertainment Medium (TV Show): "Careful not to kink the cable, or the internet will cut out again!" (A character warning another in a sitcom)
Verb (Informal - Muscle Pain):
Newspaper Comic Strip: "Lifting those groceries really kinked up my back!" (Speech bubble in a comic strip) Note: The informal verb usage of "kink" (causing muscle pain) is less common than the noun form.
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Kink
Unfortunately, the word "kink" isn't very common in famous quotes, especially due to the more recent association with sexual preferences. Here are some alternatives that capture the essence of "kink" (bend, twist, problem) in a more formal way:
"Genius begins with a twist of the imagination." - Blaise Pascal (philosopher)
"The only source of knowledge is experience. Every experience is a form of revelation." - Aldous Huxley (writer) (focuses on the "twist" of new experiences)
"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor." - Franklin D. Roosevelt (politician) (highlights the need to overcome "problems")
"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon (musician) (emphasises the unexpected "twists" of life)
"The mind is everything. What you think you become." - Buddha (spiritual leader) (highlights the power of a "mental shift" to overcome challenges)
"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra." - Jimmy Johnson (American football coach) (focuses on the small "twists" that make a difference)
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." - Steve Jobs (entrepreneur) (emphasises the need to "break the mould")
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates (philosopher) (highlights the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new information)
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu (philosopher) (focuses on overcoming the initial "hurdles")
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates (philosopher) (encourages introspection and "mental shifts")
Etymology
The word "kink" actually has two possible origins, both pretty old!
The twisty path: This meaning of "kink" likely comes from Dutch or Middle Low German, where it referred to a twist or curl in a rope. Imagine a kinked rope that wouldn't hang straight! This meaning showed up in English around the early 1600s.
The funny path: This less-common origin might be from an Old English word related to laughter or mockery. The idea here is that a "kink" is something unexpected or different, kind of like a funny twist in a story.
Over time, the "twist" meaning became the main way we use "kink" in English, for things like a bent hose or a crick in your neck. The funny meaning faded away, but it's a fun little reminder of how words can change!
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Kink
Phrases:
Iron out the kinks: This means to fix minor problems or difficulties in a plan or process. (Example: "The team is still ironing out the kinks in the new software launch.")
Work out the kinks: Similar to "iron out the kinks," but emphasizes the effort needed to overcome the problems. (Example: "We'll need to work out the kinks in the schedule before we can start filming.")
Get a kink in one's neck/back/etc.: This informal phrase describes a sudden, localized muscle pain. (Example: "I slept on my neck wrong and got a kink in it.")
Have a kink in one's hose: This is a silly way of saying someone is grumpy or out of sorts. (Note: This usage is less common and might be considered outdated.)
Idioms (informal):
Don't kink my hose: This is a playful way of telling someone to stop being annoying or interfering with your plans. (Note: This idiom is a bit silly and might not be appropriate in all situations.)
Your kink: This refers to someone's unusual or unconventional preferences, especially in a sexual context. (Note: Due to the sensitive nature of this meaning, use it with caution.)
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Source Information
Definition of kink from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved