ink
ink — noun
1. A coloured liquid used in pens, printers, and printing presses to produce words,
A coloured liquid used in pens, printers, and printing presses to produce words, images, or designs on a surface such as paper.
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.
Minh carefully dipped the fountain pen into the bottle of dark blue ink.
The old letter was written in faded brown ink that was barely readable.
Some artists draw with ink rather than paint because it creates clean, sharp lines.
文法句型
ink + noun (ink bottle, ink stain)
in + ink (written in ink)
adjective + ink (blue ink, black ink)
用法筆記
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').
常見錯誤
2. Permanent designs, patterns, or pictures applied to human skin by injecting colo
Permanent designs, patterns, or pictures applied to human skin by injecting coloured liquid with needles — used informally to mean tattoos.
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.
The tattoo artist's portfolio was full of colourful ink on clients with different skin tones.
After years of admiring her friend's ink, Zola booked a session at a local studio.
文法句型
get ink (get a tattoo)
have ink (have tattoos)
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
ink — verb
1. To cover, mark, or write on something with ink — for example, coating a rubber s
To cover, mark, or write on something with ink — for example, coating a rubber stamp before pressing it, or filling a printing roller.
Élise inked the rubber stamp carefully before pressing it onto each envelope.
collocation: ink a stamp
The industrial printer automatically inks its rollers before every page is printed.
Before signing the contract, Christopher inked the pen and wrote his name at the bottom.
The printing press can ink an entire newspaper run in less than an hour.
文法句型
ink + noun (object being marked)
ink + noun + with + noun (ink a roller with black ink)
用法筆記
The object is the surface or tool being marked (a stamp, roller, pen tip), not the ink itself. This sense is common in printing and stationery contexts. For the act of putting ink on paper through writing, use simply 'write with ink' or 'write in ink'.
常見錯誤
2. To create a permanent picture or design on someone's skin by injecting coloured
To create a permanent picture or design on someone's skin by injecting coloured liquid with needles — used informally to mean tattoo.
Mauricio was inked with a traditional pattern on his upper arm during his navy service.
passive: be inked with [pattern]
The artist inked a small hummingbird onto Aylin's shoulder in just two hours.
Tamar decided to get a matching symbol inked on her wrist next to her brother.
Ravindra had been inked many times before, but this was his first large back piece.
- remove
laser removal or surgical removal of a tattoo — the opposite process
文法句型
ink + person (the artist inked her)
ink + pattern + onto + person (ink a dragon onto his back)
get + [body part] + inked
用法筆記
More informal than the standard verb 'tattoo'. Commonly used in passive constructions ('got inked', 'was inked by'), or in the causative pattern 'get [body part] inked'. The object of the active verb can be either the person ('inked him') or the design ('inked a dragon').