yoink

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/jɔɪŋk/
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A swift, playful snatch, a sharp pulling sound, or a light hop, used chiefly in informal contexts.
Practice using this word in conversation

Examples

  • The frog yoinked from one lily pad to another.
  • They yoinked the spotlight with a surprise entrance.
  • The cat yoinked the toy mouse and ran away.
  • The robot yoinked forward after the command.
  • Kids yoinked around the playground during recess.

Similar words

crack
pop
whip
clack
seize
twang
snap
grab
thwack
bounce

Meanings

Quickly grab or take something

verb
everyday
informal
To snatch something in a sudden, often humorous way.

Usage

Use yoink for a swift, playful grab.

Examples

  • She yoinked the last slice of pizza before anyone could notice.
  • He yoinked my pen and vanished.
  • The kid yoinked the candy from the table.
  • During the game, I yoinked the power‑up and scored.
  • They yoinked the spotlight with a surprise entrance.
  • I yoinked the remote before the commercial break.
  • The cat yoinked the toy mouse and ran away.

Common mistakes

Confusing the verb with a noun or using it in formal contexts
IncorrectCorrect
He yoinked the report during the meeting. He yoinked the report during the break.
Please yoink the documents. Please yoink the documents quickly.
Yoink is a noun meaning a theft. Yoink is a verb meaning to take something abruptly.
I yoinked the idea from you. I yoinked the idea from you.

Similar words

snatch
grab
nab
swipe
pilfer
snag
seize

Onomatopoeic yank sound

verb
sound
neutral
To make a sharp pulling sound, often described as a yoink.

Usage

Use yoink when describing a sudden tug noise.

Examples

  • The fishing line yoinked as the fish took the bait.
  • When the trap closed, it yoinked with a metallic clang.
  • The elastic band yoinked back after being stretched.
  • The toy gun yoinked a tiny sound when fired.
  • The drawer yoinked open with a sudden snap.
  • The rope yoinked loudly as it was pulled taut.
  • The old hinge yoinked each time the door moved.

Common mistakes

Using the word for a grab instead of a sound
IncorrectCorrect
The rope yoinked the box. The rope yoinked as it snapped.
She yoinked the door shut. The door yoinked when it slammed.
He yoinked the car engine. The engine yoinked with a loud pop.
I yoinked the gunfire. The gunfire yoinked through the night.

Similar words

snap
twang
pop
clack
thwack
crack
whip

Hop or bounce

verb
slang
informal
To hop or bounce lightly, often used humorously.

Usage

Use yoink for a quick, playful hop.

Examples

  • The kitten yoinked onto the windowsill in a single bound.
  • He yoinked over the puddle with a playful leap.
  • The dancer yoinked across the stage, surprising the audience.
  • She yoinked up the hill like a springy toy.
  • The frog yoinked from one lily pad to another.
  • Kids yoinked around the playground during recess.
  • The robot yoinked forward after the command.

Common mistakes

Mixing the hop sense with the grab sense
IncorrectCorrect
The rabbit yoinked the carrot. The rabbit yoinked across the meadow.
She yoinked the ball into the net. She yoinked over the fence.
He yoinked the book from the shelf. He yoinked up the hill.
I yoinked the coffee cup. I yoinked onto the chair.

Similar words

bounce
hop
spring
leap
jolt
skip
bound

Usage

Choose the sense that matches a sudden grab, a tug sound, or a quick bounce, and keep the tone informal.

Common mistakes

Using yoink in a formal email sounds out of place.

Etymology

First recorded in 1954 as an onomatopoeic verb, later spread through cartoons and internet slang.

FAQ

What does yoink mean?

Yoink is an informal verb meaning to snatch something quickly, to describe a sharp pulling sound, or to hop lightly.

Can yoink be used as a noun?

Yoink is primarily a verb; using it as a noun is not standard.

Is yoink appropriate in formal writing?

Yoink is informal slang, so it is best avoided in formal contexts.

Where did yoink originate?

Yoink first appeared in the 1950s as an onomatopoeic term and later spread through cartoons and internet culture.

How do you conjugate yoink in the past tense?

Yoink forms its past tense as yoinked.

Can yoink describe a sound?

Yoink can be used to describe a sharp pulling or snapping sound.

Is yoink related to the word yank?

Yoink shares the idea of a sudden pull with yank, but it adds a playful or humorous tone.

What are some synonyms for yoink?

Synonyms include snatch, grab, nab, swipe, pilfer, snag, and seize.

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