Ink
/ɪŋk/
Definitions
3 meaningsA liquid or paste containing pigments or dyes used for writing, drawing, or printing.
/ɪŋk/
A colored fluid used for writing, drawing, or printing.
The artist used black ink to outline the drawing.
💡 Simply: Ink is like the colorful juice we use to write or draw with pens and markers. Imagine spilling some on a piece of paper! It's the stuff that makes the words and pictures appear.
👶 For kids: Ink is like the paint that pens and markers use to make marks on paper.
More Examples
The old manuscript was written in faded ink.
The printer needs more ink cartridges to print the document.
How It's Used
"She wrote a letter in black ink."
"The printer ran out of ink."
To mark, color, or cover with ink.
/ɪŋk/
To mark or color with ink.
He inked his signature on the contract.
💡 Simply: To ink means to put ink on something, like when you use a pen to fill in a form or draw a picture. It's the act of making marks with ink.
👶 For kids: When you ink something, you're putting ink on it, like coloring with a marker.
More Examples
The artist carefully inked the details of the illustration.
I need to ink the draft before making copies.
How It's Used
"The artist inked the final draft of the comic book page."
"Please ink the document."
A hint or suggestion; an idea; a slight suspicion.
/ɪŋk/
Figuratively, an idea or a slight suspicion.
I had an inkling that he was hiding something.
💡 Simply: An inkling is like a little hunch or feeling that you have about something, like when you have a feeling that it might rain even though the sun is shining.
👶 For kids: An inkling is a little feeling that you know something is true, but you don't have proof.
More Examples
Despite the evidence to the contrary, she still held an inkling of hope.
There was an inkling of danger in his eyes.
How It's Used
"I have an inkling that something is wrong."
"There was a hint of inkling about the coming danger."
Idioms & expressions
in black and white
Written or printed; clear and unambiguous.
"The terms of the agreement were written down in black and white."
put something in ink
To formally write down something; to make something official and permanent (usually in a contract or agreement).
"I want to put our agreement in ink so there's no confusion later."
wet ink
Refers to a document that is recently signed or published; the document is still new and the ink has not dried.
"The contract is still wet ink."
From Old French 'enque' (a writing liquid), ultimately from Latin 'encaustum' (purple ink).
Used since ancient times for writing and marking, evolving from early pigments to modern formulations.