Chink

/tʃɪŋk/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A small opening or crack, especially in a surface.

The old barn had a chink in the wall that let in the cold air.

A derogatory term for a person of East Asian descent.

Using the word 'chink' to describe someone is considered highly offensive.

verb

To make a chink or crack in something.

He chinked the wall to allow for better ventilation.

Origin uncertain; possibly derived from Chinese dialects.

chink in the armor

A small weakness in an otherwise strong defense or argument.

slur

A word or phrase used to insult or demean someone.

stereotype

A widely held but oversimplified idea or image of a particular type of person or thing.

A derogatory term used in a discriminatory context.

The use of 'chink' in his joke was considered tasteless.