# chink

> English word · Noun · IPA /t͡ʃɪŋk/ · frequency rank #46,376

## Definitions
1. A narrow opening such as a fissure or crack.
2. A narrow opening such as a fissure or crack.
3. A chip or dent in something metallic.
4. A vulnerability or flaw in a protection system or in any otherwise formidable system.

## Etymology
Of uncertain origin, but apparently an extension, with diminutive -k (see more at -ock), of Middle English chine (or, if already suffixed in Middle English, *chinek), from Old English ċine (“a crack, chine, chink”), equivalent to chine + -k.

## Easily confused with
- **chip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chip)
- **coin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-coin)
- **Chun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chun)
- **chit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chit)
- **Chiu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chiu)
- **cine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-cine)
- **click** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-click)
- **coins** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-coins)
- **chips** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chips)
- **chuck** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chuck)
- **chunk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chunk)
- **crank** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-crank)
- **Clint** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-clint)
- **cling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-cling)
- **Chung** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chung)
- **Chong** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chong)
- **chino** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chino)
- **chock** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chock)
- **crick** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-crick)
- **chirp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chink-vs-chirp)

## Common misspellings (8)
`cchink`, `chhink`, `chikn`, `chinkk`, `chinnk`, `chnik`, `cihnk`, `hcink`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/chink