What does pinked mean?
Pinked is the past tense and past participle of the verb pink, meaning to turn or make pink. It is especially common when describing a person’s face or skin changing color in response to embarrassment, excitement, heat, or exertion. “She pinked and looked away” is more natural and evocative than simply saying that she became pink, although both are grammatically correct. The verb can also describe dyeing, tinting, or otherwise giving something a pink color. In polo, a related specialized sense means to dress in pink, traditionally a color not permitted in official matches. Pinked may also function as an adjective, as in “her pinked cheeks,” where it describes something that has become pink. Although the basic verb is straightforward, the word is especially useful in narrative writing because it evokes both a visible color change and the emotion or physical cause behind it.
Turned or made pink.
"The child’s face pinked in the heat."
Often describes a face or skin turning pink because of embarrassment, emotion, heat, or exertion.
Having become pink or colored pink.
"She hid her pinked face behind her hands."
Used attributively when describing a person’s face or skin, especially after embarrassment or exertion.
In polo, “pinked” can mean dressed in pink, a color traditionally prohibited during official play.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pinked come from?
Pinked is a regular inflection of pink and has no independent historical origin. The precise origin of pink is uncertain; the word has been used in English since the late 16th century, initially for a pink color or material. Because the relationship of pink to earlier color terms is not securely established, no direct cognates can be stated with confidence.
Related word forms
How pinked is actually used
The expression “pinked with embarrassment” is informal but common. The polo sense is chiefly associated with British usage and is usually found in expressions such as “pinked out.”