tinge

American  

[tinj] / tɪndʒ /

verb (used with object)

tinged, tingeing, tinging

1. to impart a trace or slight degree of some color to; tint.

2. to impart a slight taste or smell to.

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noun

1. a slight degree of coloration.

2. a slight admixture, as of some qualifying property or characteristic; trace; smattering.

   a tinge of garlic; a tinge of anger.

   Synonyms:

   suspicion, nuance, shade, hint

tinge British  

/ tɪndʒ /

noun

1. a slight tint or colouring

   her hair had a tinge of grey

2. any slight addition

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verb

1. to colour or tint faintly

2. to impart a slight trace to

   her thoughts were tinged with nostalgia

Other Word Forms

• intertinge verb (used with object)
• retinge verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of tinge

First recorded in 1470–80, tinge is from the Latin word tingere to dye, color

Example Sentences

I cringed at his tone, tinged with the tiniest bit of sarcasm, as I walked to my front door.

From Literature

Her performance is tinged with the unmistakable sound of uncertainty.

From Salon

These stories work because, as excessive as they are, they’re tinged with believability.

From Salon

Waiting for her to catch up, he was startled to see that her lips had a bluish tinge.

From Literature

It was strangely colored with a pinkish tinge.

From Literature

Related Words

• coloration
• hue
• tint
• tone