Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for tinny

tinny

[ tin-ee ]

adjective

, tin·ni·er, tin·ni·est.
  1. of or like tin.
  2. containing tin.
  3. lacking in timbre or resonance; sounding thin or twangy:

    a tinny piano.

  4. not strong or durable; flimsy; shoddy.
  5. having the taste of tin.


tinny

/ ˈtɪnɪ /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or resembling tin
  2. cheap, badly made, or shoddy
  3. (of a sound) high, thin, and metallic
  4. (of food or drink) flavoured with metal, as from a container
  5. informal.
    lucky
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. slang.
    a can of beer
  2. informal.
    Alsotinnie a small fishing or pleasure boat with an aluminium hull
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈtinniness, noun
  • ˈtinnily, adverb
Discover More

Other Words From

  • tinni·ly adverb
  • tinni·ness noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of tinny1

First recorded in 1545–55; tin + -y 1
Discover More

Example Sentences

You may remember a toy called Hit Clips, which offered up tinny-sounding snippets of pop songs on tiny toy cartridges that only worked in specific players.

No matter how many impressive features speakers have, if the sound is even remotely tinny, you can do better.

Those are good for allowing wearers to hear their environments, but the sound can be tinny and unnatural.

The controller microphone’s sound quality is great, but the speakers are tinny, making your friend’s voice sound like it’s coming through an old cellphone.

The sound from the speakers is somewhat tinny and awkwardly loud for people in the room who may be facing the back of the screen.

People listen to it on tinny cellphone speakers that are entirely inferior to what they had in lo-tech times of yore.

A few tinny messages on the value of courage and the evils of greed remain, but the decision was wise.

And when he tried to strike a sympathetic note with “people who are looking for work,” it came off as tinny and flat.

When he flew to the back of a chair and perched upon it, his tin feathers rattled against one another with a tinny clatter.

Beyond, the wired tennis-courts give forth a musical, tinny note when attacked.

There was a tinny scream, and a six-inch needle shot up instantly through the surface.

He struck the yellow-keyed piano a vicious blow, producing a tinny and complaining sound.

Alan put down his fork with a sharp tinny clang and stared levelly at the First Officer.

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


tinnitustin-opener