ink

UK: /ˈɪŋk/ US: /ɪŋk/ ,(ingk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ink /ɪŋk/   n. 

1. Printing a fluid used for writing or drawing:
   [uncountable] My pen has run out of ink.
   [countable] The artist works with inks.

v. [~ + object]

2. to mark, stain, cover, draw, or smear with ink:
   to ink the paper.

ink•less, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ink  (ingk), n. 

1. Printing a fluid or viscous substance used for writing or printing.
2. Zoology a dark, protective fluid ejected by the cuttlefish and other cephalopods.
3. publicity, esp. in print media.

v.t. 

4. to mark, stain, cover, or smear with ink:
   to ink one's clothes.
5. Slang Terms to sign one's name to (an official document):
   We expect to ink the contract tomorrow.

• Greek énkauston purple ink, noun, nominal use of neuter of énkaustos burnt in. See encaustic
• Late Latin encautum, variant of encaustum
• Old French enque
• Middle English inke, enke 1200–50

ink′er, n. 
ink′less, adj. 
ink′like′, adj. 

ink, +n. 

1. [Informal.] publicity, esp. in print media.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ink / ɪŋk/ noun

1. a fluid or paste used for printing, writing, and drawing
2. a dark brown fluid ejected into the water for self-concealment by an octopus or related mollusc from a gland (ink sac) near the anus
3. a tattoo or a series of tattoos

verb (transitive)

1. to mark with ink
2. to coat (a printing surface) with ink

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French enque, from Late Latin encaustum a purplish-red ink, from Greek enkauston purple ink, from enkaustos burnt in, from enkaiein to burn in; see en-², caustic

ˈinker noun