ink

ink — noun

1. A coloured liquid used in pens, printers, and printing presses to produce words,

1.nounA2
Definition

A coloured liquid used in pens, printers, and printing presses to produce words, images, or designs on a surface such as paper.

Example

The teacher asked students to write their final essays in blue or black ink.

uncountable: 'in ink' with colour adjectives

When the printer ran out of ink, Lan refilled the cartridges before finishing her report.

Common collocations
  • blue ink
  • black ink
  • faded ink
  • ink bottle
  • ink cartridge
  • ink stain
  • pen and ink
  • in ink
  • draw in ink
  • write in ink
Synonyms
  • pigment

    refers to the solid colouring powder mixed into ink, not the liquid itself — more technical in tone

  • dye

    a coloured liquid that penetrates materials like fabric, whereas ink stays on the surface of paper

  • paint

    thicker than ink and used for covering larger surfaces like walls or canvas

Grammar Patterns

ink + noun (ink bottle, ink stain)

in + ink (written in ink)

adjective + ink (blue ink, black ink)

Usage Note

Ink is uncountable when referring to the liquid itself ('some ink', 'a drop of ink'). It can be countable when referring to different types or colours ('a range of printing inks').

Common Mistakes

I bought a new ink for my printer.
I bought some new ink for my printer.
Ink is uncountable when referring to the liquid, so 'a/an' is not used.
The pen is full of inks.
The pen is full of ink.
Use the singular uncountable form unless talking about multiple colour varieties.

2. Permanent designs, patterns, or pictures applied to human skin by injecting colo

2.nounB2
Definition

Permanent designs, patterns, or pictures applied to human skin by injecting coloured liquid with needles — used informally to mean tattoos.

Example

Rodrigo showed off the intricate ink on his forearm, a dragon winding around his wrist.

informal register: 'ink' for tattoos

Hannah was thinking about getting some new ink to mark her graduation from university.

Common collocations
  • new ink
  • get ink
  • have ink
  • colourful ink
  • show off ink
  • fresh ink
Synonyms
  • tattoo

    the standard formal term; 'ink' is the casual, in-group equivalent

  • body art

    broader term that includes tattoos, piercings, and other permanent skin modifications

Grammar Patterns

get ink (get a tattoo)

have ink (have tattoos)

Usage Note

Common in informal tattoo culture. Usually uncountable ('some ink', 'new ink'), referring to tattoos collectively. Unlike 'tattoo', 'ink' is not used as a countable noun in this sense ('three inks' is not natural).

Common Mistakes

She has three inks on her arm.
She has a lot of ink on her arm.
'Ink' for tattoos is uncountable; use 'tattoo' or 'piece' for individual designs.
Phrasal verbs

ink in

phrasal verb

To write something using ink rather than pencil; or to confirm a plan or arrangement as definite and final.

Once the venue was confirmed, Liam inked the date in on his calendar.

The manager said the meeting was only pencilled in, so Diya waited until it was inked in before booking flights.

ink up

phrasal verb

To fill a pen, printing press, or other device with ink in preparation for use.

Before the ceremony began, the calligrapher inked up her brush and prepared the scroll.

Idioms

before the ink is dry

idiom

Very soon after something has been written, signed, or officially agreed — used to show that something changes or happens almost immediately after an agreement.

The two companies signed the merger deal, but before the ink was dry, rumours of job cuts began to spread.

ink — verb

Word family

  • inked
    adjectiveB2
  • inky
    adjectiveB1
  • inkwell
    nounC1
  • inkjet
    nounB2
  • inkjet
    adjectiveB2
  • inkstand
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to coloured substances, but they differ in consistency, purpose, and how they are applied. Ink is a liquid designed specifically for writing, drawing, or printing on surfaces like paper — it flows easily from a pen tip or printer nozzle. Paint is thicker and used to cover larger areas such as walls or canvas, usually applied with a brush or roller. Dye is a solution that penetrates materials like fabric or hair to change their colour permanently, whereas ink sits on the surface. Pigment is the solid colouring powder that is mixed with a liquid to create ink, paint, or dye — you would not say 'I wrote with pigment' or 'I dyed my shirt with ink.' For daily use: you ink a signature on a document, paint a bedroom wall, dye your hair blonde, and buy pigment powder as a raw art supply.

ink ↗paint ↗dye ↗pigment ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • written in ink
  • printed in ink

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The English word 'ink' traces back through Latin 'encaustum' to Greek 'enkauston', which literally means 'burned in' (en- 'in' + kaiein 'to burn'). In ancient times, ink was sometimes fused onto writing surfaces by heat — the 'burned in' idea. The Latin word referred specifically to a purple ink used by Roman emperors for signing official documents. This gives you a clue: ink is designed to mark a surface permanently, much like something burned in.