Hinge is an English word with both a concrete and a figurativeusing words in a non-literal way to suggest an idea meaning. It most often refers to the movableable to move or be moved joint on a door or gate, and it can also describe something that an outcome dependsrelies on something else for support or result on.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /hɪndʒ/
Easy pronunciation: HINGE (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; the stress is on hinge.
Noun: a joint that lets a door, lid, or similar object swing open and shut.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Hinge Meaning
a part that lets a door, lid, or similar object swing open and shut
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a joint that holds two parts together so that one can swing relative to the other
Example: The door squeaked because the hinge was loose.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- flexible joint — Works as a technical description, but it is less natural than hinge in everyday use.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Hinge
Meaning 2
something that other events or results depend on
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a circumstance upon which subsequent events depend
Example: His absence is the hinge of our plan.
Meaning 3
to fix something so it can swing on a hinge
Part of speech: verb
Definition: attach with a hinge
Example: The cabinet doors were hinged to open outward.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Hinge Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- flexible joint
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse the noun hinge, meaning a door joint, with the figurative noun sense meaning something events depend on.
- The verb hinge is not the same as the noun sense and should not be used as a synonym for it.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hinge mean?
Hinge usually means the joint that lets a door, lid, or gate swing open and shut. It can also mean the key factor that other events depend on.
What is a synonym for hinge?
For the noun meaning a door joint, flexible joint is a close dictionary synonym, though it is less common in everyday English.
Is hinge a noun or a verb?
Hinge can be both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it means a joint or a deciding factor. As a verb, it means to attach something with a hinge.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
