Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A person who holds moderately leftist political views; a pink.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun often derogatory A socialist who is not wholly communist.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a person with mildly leftist political views

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From the term red, affiliated with communism, as pink is a lighter, more diluted form. (1936)

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word pinko.

Examples

  • Carolyn Parishes antics aren't supported by the majority of people, even here in pinko Ontario, so please enlighten me.

    the less friendly border 2005

  • Carolyn Parishes antics aren't supported by the majority of people, even here in pinko Ontario, so please enlighten me.

    the less friendly border 2005

  • The word pinko was all over the Toronto media recently, and I had to explain to a friend who speaks perfect English as a second language what it meant, as it's a term that hasn't been used in the media here since she moved to Canada 17 years ago.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed RUSSELL SMITH 2010

  • The word pinko was all over the Toronto media recently, and I had to explain to a friend who speaks perfect English as a second language what it meant, as it's a term that hasn't been used in the media here since she moved to Canada 17 years ago.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed RUSSELL SMITH 2010

  • There are suddenly T-shirts and buttons available all over the downtown, made in various shade of pink, using the word pinko and mostly promoting cycling.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed RUSSELL SMITH 2010

  • There are suddenly T-shirts and buttons available all over the downtown, made in various shade of pink, using the word pinko and mostly promoting cycling.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed RUSSELL SMITH 2010

  • I have been described as a 'closet nationalist', and as a Melders-like 'pinko' - which has caused eyebrows to be raised amongst some of my more Conservative friends.

    A Right-Winger - Moi? Glyn Davies 2007

  • I have been described as a 'closet nationalist', and as a Melders-like 'pinko' - which has caused eyebrows to be raised amongst some of my more Conservative friends.

    Archive 2007-08-01 Glyn Davies 2007

  • Oh, except for Homeland Security and the Military ... he'll need them to keep down social dissidents (aka pinko commie liberals).

    McCain Adviser: Emergency Room Just as Good as Health Insurance 2009

  • (Ah, I haven't used the word pinko in 30 years!!!)

    Sound Politics: Rumsfeld To Resign 2006

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.