tinny

adjective

tin·​ny ˈti-nē How to pronounce tinny (audio)
tinnier; tinniest
1
: thin in tone
a tinny voice
2
a
: resembling tin
b
c
: lacking depth or substance : empty
tinny arguments
3
: of, abounding in, or yielding tin
tinnily adverb
tinniness noun

Examples of tinny in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The highs were brighter and crisper, but never tinny or sharp; mid-range tones were rich and full, with noticeable heft compared to cheaper headphones that often leave mids sounding watered down. Tim Chan, Variety, 7 Aug. 2024 The tinny roar of the crowd and thick cigar smoke siphoned down the brick corridor. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 12 Dec. 2022 That tinny little sound twinkling somewhere nearby. Souvankham Thammavongsa, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023 The sound quality of the tinny four-speaker stereo is pretty dreadful though. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 26 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for tinny 

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of tinny was in 1552

Dictionary Entries Near tinny

Cite this Entry

“Tinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tinny. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tinny

adjective
tin·​ny ˈtin-ē How to pronounce tinny (audio)
tinnier; tinniest
: resembling or suggesting tin

More from Merriam-Webster on tinny

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!