kinky

/ˈkɪŋki/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɪŋki/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkiŋ-kē/ (ame, mw)

kinky — adjective

  • kinkypositive
  • kinkiercomparative
  • kinkiestsuperlative

1. Describing hair that naturally grows from the scalp in very tight, small curves

1.形容詞B1
釋義

Describing hair that naturally grows from the scalp in very tight, small curves such as spirals or zigzag shapes, as opposed to loose waves or straight strands.

例句

Elena spends an hour each week conditioning her naturally kinky hair.

collocation: kinky hair

The new shampoo is designed specifically for kinky and coily hair types.

kinky or coily: paired texture descriptors

同義詞
  • coily

    Common alternative for natural Afro-textured hair; perceived as more neutral

  • curly

    Broader term; 'curly' includes loose curls while 'kinky' specifically means very tight curls

反義詞
  • straight

    Hair with no curl at all

  • wavy

    Hair with gentle S-curves, less tight than kinky

文法句型

kinky + noun

be + kinky

用法筆記

This sense is a neutral descriptor of natural hair texture, common in hair-care contexts. Some people consider 'kinky' potentially offensive when used by outsiders to describe Afro-textured hair, so 'coily' or 'tightly curled' are sometimes preferred alternatives.

常見錯誤

❌Her hair is kinky curly.
✅Her hair is kinky.
💡'kinky' already describes the curl pattern; adding 'curly' is redundant.
❌He has kinky straight hair.
✅His hair is straight, not kinky.
💡kinky and straight describe opposite textures; they cannot apply to the same hair.

2. Describing sexual interests, activities, or preferences that most people conside

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Describing sexual interests, activities, or preferences that most people consider unusual or outside what is socially typical, often in a way that some individuals find exciting or appealing.

例句

The couple explored kinky activities like role-playing during the weekend.

collocation: kinky activities

Fatima laughed when her friend called the furry handcuffs kinky.

verb + object + adjective complement: call [noun] kinky

同義詞
  • deviant

    Stronger, more clinical or judgmental; implies breaking social norms

  • unconventional

    Broader, less specifically sexual; can apply to non-sexual tastes too

  • taboo

    Emphasises social prohibition rather than mere unusualness

反義詞
  • vanilla

    Informal slang for conventional or plain sexual preferences

  • conventional

    Standard, following social norms

文法句型

kinky + noun

be + kinky

get + kinky

用法筆記

This sense is subjective — what one person calls kinky another may call ordinary. In informal conversation, it can be used playfully or with disapproval depending on tone. Avoid using this sense in formal or professional writing.

常見錯誤

❌She wore a kinky dress to the office party.' (meaning quirky/edgy)
✅She wore a quirky dress to the office party.
💡'kinky' with clothing strongly implies a sexual meaning; use 'quirky', 'edgy', or 'unusual' instead.
❌They had a kinky time at the amusement park.
✅They had a fun time at the amusement park.
💡'kinky' almost always refers to sexual content in modern English; it sounds odd or inappropriate with family-friendly activities.