tine

1 of 2

noun

ˈtīn How to pronounce tine (audio)
Synonyms of tinenext
1
: a slender pointed projecting part : prong
2
: a pointed branch of an antler
tined
ˈtīnd How to pronounce tine (audio)
adjective

tine

2 of 2

verb

tined ˈtīnd How to pronounce tine (audio) or tint ˈtint How to pronounce tine (audio) ; tining ˈtī-niŋ How to pronounce tine (audio)

transitive verb

dialectal British : lose

intransitive verb

dialectal British : to become lost

Examples of tine in a Sentence

Noun One of the fork's tines was bent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The tines were unnaturally white and sharp, considering Waters claimed to have taken the buck during the late muzzleloader season, which occurs after the rut in Wisconsin. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2025 If using plastic forks, break off the middle 2 tines of one of the forks. — Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 8 June 2025 Lightly dust the gnocchi with four and roll each one off the tines of a fork or butter paddle to create the grooves and small indentation. — Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 28 May 2025 Read Next: The Real Story Behind the Casey Brooks Bull, the Pending World Record Elk Cole, who was previously an official scorer with Minnesota clubs for more than 30 years, tells OL that the extremely sharp tines are one red flag. — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tine

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tind, from Old English; akin to Old High German zint point, tine

Verb

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse tȳna to lose, destroy, tjōn injury, loss — more at teen entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tine was before the 12th century

Rhymes for tine

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Browse Nearby Words

tin dioxide
tine
tinea
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Cite this Entry

“Tine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tine. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

tine

noun
ˈtīn
: a slender pointed part : prong
the tines of a fork

More from Merriam-Webster on tine

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tine

Nglish: Translation of tine for Spanish Speakers

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