SKIP TO CONTENT

ding

/dɪŋ/
/dɪŋ/
IPA guide

Other forms: dings

A ding is the sound that a bell makes — a kind of metallic, musical ringing. When you hear the ding of the doorbell, you'll know that the pizza delivery guy is here.

Bells, telephones, and doorbells all make a ding, and the word is a verb as well: "I'm going to run when I hear the dinner bell ding — I want to be first in line." Another kind of ding is a small dent or nick in a surface, the kind you might get in your car's bumper during a minor fender bender. Ding falls in the category of imitative words, which sound like their meaning.

Definitions of ding
  1. noun
    a ringing sound
    see moresee less
    type of:
    sound
    the sudden occurrence of an audible event
  2. verb
    go `ding dong', like a bell
    synonyms: dingdong, dong
    see moresee less
    type of:
    peal, ring
    sound loudly and sonorously
  3. noun
    an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
    synonyms: dent, divot, gouge, nick
    see moresee less
    types:
    dig
    a small gouge (as in the cover of a book)
    type of:
    blemish, defect, mar
    a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)
Pronunciation
US
/dɪŋ/
UK
/dɪŋ/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘ding'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family