kink

/kɪŋk/ (bre, ipa) · /kɪŋk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkiŋk/ (ame, mw)

kink — noun

  • kinksingular
  • kinksplural

1. a sharp twist or bend that forms in something normally straight, like a rope, wi

1.名詞B2
釋義

a sharp twist or bend that forms in something normally straight, like a rope, wire, or garden hose, often stopping it from working properly

例句

Nia noticed a kink in the garden hose, and the tomato plants got no water.

collocation: a kink in [something long and thin]

The electrician straightened a kink in the copper wire before pulling it through the wall.

同義詞
  • twist

    general; lacks the sense of being unwanted

  • bend

    broader; a bend can be intentional, a kink is not

  • loop

    a full circle shape, not a sharp doubling-over

文法句型

a kink in [something long and thin]

用法筆記

Object of 'in' is almost always a long flexible item: rope, wire, hose, cable, chain, tube. Distinguish from sense 4 (a flaw in an abstract plan or system).

常見錯誤

❌There is a kink on the rope.
✅There is a kink in the rope.
💡use 'in', not 'on', for the twisting location.

2. a tight curve or wave in someone's hair that stops it from lying flat or hanging

2.名詞C1
釋義

a tight curve or wave in someone's hair that stops it from lying flat or hanging straight down

例句

Evelyn brushed her damp hair to smooth out the kinks before her job interview.

collocation: smooth out the kinks

Years of wearing tight braids had left small kinks across the back of Paloma's head.

同義詞
  • curl

    broader, often deliberate styling

  • wave

    softer, longer curve than a kink

  • frizz

    general untidy texture, not single sharp curves

文法句型

kinks in [someone's] hair

用法筆記

Plural 'kinks' is far more common than singular for this sense. Usually paired with verbs of smoothing or removing.

3. a sore, stiff patch inside the muscles around your neck, back, or shoulder that

3.名詞B2
釋義

a sore, stiff patch inside the muscles around your neck, back, or shoulder that hurts when you move

例句

Mert woke up with a painful kink in his neck after sleeping on the train.

collocation: a kink in [body part]

Trang felt a sharp kink in her lower back after lifting a heavy box.

同義詞
  • crick

    near-synonym, very common for neck specifically

  • cramp

    sudden, sharper pain; not always stiffness

  • stiffness

    broader, not necessarily painful

文法句型

a kink in [body part: neck, back, shoulder]

用法筆記

Usually 'a kink' (singular). Frequently follows 'get' or 'have', and is removed with 'work out' or 'massage out'. Common American English; less frequent in British English.

常見錯誤

❌I have kinks in my neck.
✅I have a kink in my neck.
💡this sense is normally singular.

4. a small fault or rough edge inside a plan, schedule, or new product, usually one

4.名詞B2
釋義

a small fault or rough edge inside a plan, schedule, or new product, usually one that more work can smooth away

例句

The engineers worked out the kinks in the new payment app before launch.

collocation: work out the kinks (in [system])

Christopher's business plan still has a few kinks, but the basic idea is solid.

同義詞
  • flaw

    more serious; suggests a real defect

  • glitch

    specifically a brief malfunction in a system

  • snag

    an unexpected difficulty that slows progress

  • hitch

    a temporary problem, often easily fixed

文法句型

a kink in [a plan, system, process]

用法筆記

Object is always an abstract system, plan, process, or product — distinguishes from sense 1 (a physical twist). Very often plural, paired with 'work out' or 'iron out'.

常見錯誤

❌There is a kink in my idea.
✅There is a kink in my plan.
💡applies to systems/plans/processes, not bare ideas.

5. a sexual taste or practice that is unusual compared with what most people prefer

5.名詞C1
釋義

a sexual taste or practice that is unusual compared with what most people prefer

例句

Noa set up a dating profile with a filter for users who share their kinks.

Madison's therapist said couples should talk about their kinks early in a relationship.

collocation: talk about / share + kinks

同義詞
  • fetish

    stronger and more specific; usually one fixed object or act

  • preference

    broad and neutral; not necessarily unusual

文法句型

have a kink for [something]

用法筆記

Strictly the sexual sense in modern English — distinguish from sense 6, which is a character quirk and not sexual. Often plural ('kinks').

6. an odd or eccentric feature in someone's character, thinking, or behaviour, ofte

6.名詞C1
釋義

an odd or eccentric feature in someone's character, thinking, or behaviour, often noticed by people around them

例句

Ravindra was a brilliant scientist with an odd kink for collecting old typewriters.

Each member of the Feng family had a little kink that made Sunday dinners entertaining.

同義詞

文法句型

a kink in someone's [character / personality / mind]

用法筆記

Refers to character or thinking habits, never sexual taste — distinguish from sense 5. Often paired with adjectives like 'odd', 'strange', 'little', 'harmless'.

kink — verb