What does dink mean?
A dink is a deliberately soft, controlled stroke played so the ball arcs gently over the net and drops quickly on the other side, most famously in pickleball and table tennis. Far from being a weak shot, the dink is a strategic weapon: by slowing the rally down and keeping the ball low, players force opponents into awkward positions and wait for an opening to attack. In pickleball, entire exchanges known as dinking battles unfold at the non-volley line, demanding patience and touch rather than power. Beyond paddle sports, the word can describe any light tap or short hit of a ball. Informal and colloquial in register, dink is well established among players but may be unfamiliar to outsiders, making it a distinctive marker of insider knowledge in these growing communities.
A soft, arcing shot designed to land gently in the opponent's court, particularly at the net in pickleball or close to the table in table tennis.
"A perfectly placed dink drew her opponent forward and set up the winning smash."
Often used attributively in phrases such as "dink shot" or "dinking game."
To hit a ball with a light, short stroke so that it travels softly over a short distance.
"She dinked the ball just over the net to break his rhythm."
Regular plural; commonly used when discussing a player's technique, e.g. "her crisp dinks."
"His patient dinks kept the rally alive until the opening appeared."
In pickleball, the humble dink — a shot so soft it seems like a mistake — is often what separates champions from beginners.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dink
The word dink is of uncertain and probably imitative origin, echoing the sound of a light tap on a ball. It appears to be related to the older adjective "dinky," which emerged in British informal English in the late nineteenth century to mean small or neat, and both words share this sense of something small, quick, and unpretentious. Its modern prominence comes largely from pickleball, where it has become one of the sport's defining terms.
Related word forms
How dink is actually used
The word is informal and belongs chiefly to the vocabulary of racket and paddle sports, where "the dink game" describes patient net-side exchanges. It carries no negative connotation in this sporting sense, though unrelated slang senses exist in some regional dialects.
Easily confused with dink
"Dinky" means small, neat, or toy-like, while "dink" refers to a soft, short shot or a light tap.
A dingo is a wild Australian dog, whereas a dink is a gentle stroke in ball sports.