boink: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, Slang, Onomatopoeic, Humorous
Quick answer
What does “boink” mean?
A light, bouncing, percussive sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A light, bouncing, percussive sound; a playful or comic imitation of the sound of a light impact.
Informal or humorous term for sexual intercourse; or to make a light, bouncing impact.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is recognized in both varieties, but the sexual slang usage is more prevalent in American English, particularly in comedic media (e.g., TV shows like 'Friends'). In British English, it is less established as sexual slang and is more likely to be heard purely as onomatopoeia.
Connotations
Both: Primarily humorous, childish, or cartoonish. The sexual connotation is deliberately silly and euphemistic. UK: More likely purely sonic. US: More likely to carry the secondary sexual meaning.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, but slightly more documented in American English due to pop culture usage.
Grammar
How to Use “boink” in a Sentence
[SUBJ] boinks [OBJ] (intransitive/transitive for sound)[SUBJ] boinks [OBJ] (slang, transitive for sex)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “boink” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The rubber ball boinked off the pavement.
- He boinked his friend playfully on the helmet.
American English
- In the cartoon, the anvil boinked the coyote on the head.
- They totally boinked after the party (humorous/slang).
adverb
British English
- N/A. Not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A. Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A. Not used as an adjective.
American English
- N/A. Not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Never used.
Everyday
Rare. May be used in jest among friends or when describing a comic sound, especially to or by children.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “boink”
- Spelling: 'boink' is standard, not 'boynk' or 'boingk'.
- Overusing it in serious contexts.
- Assuming it is a common or polite word for sex.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an informal, onomatopoeic word and a piece of slang. It is not used in formal English.
The sound imitation meaning is harmless. The sexual slang meaning is humorous and euphemistic, but it is still slang and could be considered crude or inappropriate in many contexts, especially with people you don't know well.
Only in very specific, informal contexts where a comic or childish tone is desired, such as creative writing for children, humorous dialogue, or mimicking sounds. Avoid it in essays, reports, or professional communication.
They are very similar. 'Bonk' is more common in British English for a light hit on the head and also for sex (slang). 'Boink' is more explicitly comic and onomatopoeic, and its sexual meaning is strongly associated with American humour.
A light, bouncing, percussive sound.
Boink is usually informal, slang, onomatopoeic, humorous in register.
Boink: in British English it is pronounced /bɔɪŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɔɪŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The lights are on but nobody's home (and the comic sound effect would be 'boink')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound a spring makes when it bounces – 'boing'... then a quick tap on the end – 'boink'! It's the sound of a cartoon character being lightly bonked on the head.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND FOR ACTION (The sound represents the light impact); SILLY SOUND FOR SERIOUS ACT (Using a childish sound for sex makes it seem less serious).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'boink' be MOST appropriate?