wince Meaning & Definition
What Does Wince Mean?
Wince is a verb that means To flinch as if in pain or distress. It can also mean To wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince. As a noun, it means A sudden movement or gesture of shrinking away.
Wince at a Glance
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /wɪns/ |
| Synonyms | recoil, cringe and shrink |
| Plural | winces |
| Verb forms | winces, wincing, winced |
Wince Definition (Verb)
- To flinch as if in pain or distress.
- To wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince.
- To kick or flounce when unsteady or impatient.
A horse winces.
Wince as a Noun
- A sudden movement or gesture of shrinking away.
- A reel used in dyeing, steeping, or washing cloth; a winch. It is placed over the division wall between two wince pits so as to allow the cloth to descend into either compartment at will.
Synonyms of Wince
Wince synonyms and antonyms →Wince in a Sentence
A horse winces.
Word Forms & Grammar
wince (third-person singular simple present winces, present participle wincing, simple past and past participle winced)
wince (plural winces)
Words That Rhyme With Wince
Origin of Wince
From Middle English wyncen, from Anglo-Norman winchir (compare Old French guenchir), from Frankish *wankjan, related to *winkijan (“to flex, bend”). See also German winken.
Questions People Ask About Wince
Is wince a verb or a noun?
Wince is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for wince?
Close synonyms of wince are recoil, cringe and shrink. See the full list of wince synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of wince?
The plural of wince is winces.
What is the past tense of wince?
The past tense of wince is winced. The present participle is wincing.