tinge

1 of 2

noun

ˈtinj 

1

: a slight staining or suffusing shade or color

2

: an affective or modifying property or influence : touch

a tinge of guilt

tinge

2 of 2

verb

tinged; tingeing or tinging ˈtin-jiŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to color with a slight shade or stain : tint

b

: to affect or modify with a slight odor or taste

2

: to affect or modify in character

Synonyms

Noun

• cast
• color
• hue
• shade
• tincture
• tint
• tone

Verb

• bepaint [archaic]
• color
• dye
• paint
• pigment
• stain
• tincture
• tint

Examples of tinge in a Sentence

Noun

showing a tinge of color

dark hair with reddish tinges

Verb

The ink tinged his fingers blue.

just slightly tinge the frosting with yellow food coloring to give it a lemony look

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These include pale or yellowing growth, purple tinges to leaves, and slower-than-normal growth. 12. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2025

The edges of the sky had a yellowish tinge like cheap paper darkening in the sunlight. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025

Verb

Sassy, brassy, and tinged with confessional monologues, and songs from some of her favorite writers, Karen will share her love of music and her love of storytelling. —Jane Levere, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

Its euphoric melodies, crafted alongside her lead collaborator BloodPop are often tinged with sadness and minor chords. —Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin tingere to dip, moisten, tinge; akin to Greek tengein to moisten and probably to Old High German dunkōn to dip

First Known Use

Noun

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for tinge

• binge
• cringe
• fringe
• hinge
• singe
• twinge
• impinge
• infringe
• syringe

Kids Definition

tinge

1 of 2 verb

ˈtinj 

tinged; tingeing or tinging ˈtin-jiŋ 

: to color or flavor slightly

tinge

2 of 2 noun

: a slight coloring, flavor, or quality

a reddish tinge

a tinge of mystery