What does shinnying mean?
Shinnying means climbing or scrambling over a surface, usually by gripping with the hands and placing the feet in small holds. The word is especially associated with climbing trees, walls, cliffs, or ropes, often as a playful activity rather than a formal technical one. It can also describe quick, awkward movement across an uneven or vertical surface. “Shinny up” is a particularly familiar expression, and “shinny” is the standard dictionary form from which the present participle “shinnying” is formed. The word has an informal, slightly old-fashioned quality, but remains natural in descriptions of childhood play, outdoor activity, and vigorous climbing. Although its spelling resembles “shiny,” the two words have unrelated meanings: shinnying concerns movement and climbing, whereas shiny describes a surface that is polished or reflective.
verbTo climb or move up a surface using the hands and feet, especially in a scrambling or agile manner. It is often used for climbing trees, walls, or other steep or awkward surfaces.
- To climb or scramble up or down a surface using the hands and feet.
- To move quickly and awkwardly over a surface, especially by using a series of handholds or footholds.
"The children shinnied up the old oak tree."
"The climbers shinnied up the cliff face as the light began to fade."
"He shinnied across the roof and dropped into the garden below."
A shinny is the nimble, all-over climb that turns a tree or steep wall into a playground.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shinnying come from?
The word comes from “shin,” the part of the leg between the knee and ankle, combined with the suffix “-y.” The base form “shinny” developed in the sense of climbing, probably by reference to using the shins and feet to get a grip. “Shinny” and the variant “shinney” have circulated in British and American English, while the longer form “shinnying” is the present-participle form commonly used in dictionaries for the activity.
Related word forms
How shinnying is actually used
This is an informal and somewhat old-fashioned word, especially common in British and American English for climbing trees or other surfaces. It can describe either a purposeful climb or a playful, scrambling movement.
Easily confused with shinnying
Shinny means to climb or scramble, while shiny means polished or reflecting light.