tinny

adjective

tin·​ny ˈti-nē How to pronounce tinny (audio)
tinnier; tinniest
Synonyms of tinnynext
1
: thin in tone
a tinny voice
2
a
: resembling tin
b
: light, cheap
c
: lacking depth or substance : empty
tinny arguments
3
: of, abounding in, or yielding tin
tinnily
ˈti-nə-lē How to pronounce tinny (audio)
adverb
tinniness
ˈti-nē-nəs How to pronounce tinny (audio)
noun

Examples of tinny in a Sentence

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.
So there’s just something tinny about him. — Shikha Dalmia, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2025 There are several ways to enhance your tunes above the tinny sound on your laptop. — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 As the sun set, news from Memphis broke into the music on his tinny radio. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026 Plus, the pedals were sticky, as were some of the black keys in the middle, and while the lower register wasn’t great, the upper register was worse—tinny, due to worn‑out felt on the hammers. — Literary Hub, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tinny

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of tinny was in 1552

Rhymes for tinny

See All Rhymes for tinny

Browse Nearby Words

tinnitus
tinny
tin opener
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tinny. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tinny

adjective
tin·​ny ˈtin-ē How to pronounce tinny (audio)
tinnier; tinniest
: resembling or suggesting tin

More from Merriam-Webster on tinny

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tinny

Nglish: Translation of tinny for Spanish Speakers

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