Skip to the word

Added 8 October 2026

ink

/ˈɪŋk/ noun

In Latin: ātrāmentum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about ink at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A pigment (or dye)-based fluid used for writing, printing etc.
This form should be filled out in ink.
A particular type, color or container of this fluid.
The black or dark-colored fluid ejected by squid, octopus etc, as a protective strategy.

verb

To apply ink to; to cover or smear with ink.
To sign (a contract or similar document).
To apply a tattoo to (someone).

Origin

From Middle English ynke, from Old French enque, from Latin encaustum (“purple ink used by Roman emperors to sign documents”), from Ancient Greek ἔγκαυστον (énkauston, “burned-in”), from ἐν (en, “in”) + καίω (kaíō, “burn”). In this sense, displaced native Old English blæc (“ink”, literally “black”). Sense four refers to the ink used in newspapers.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word