bingo
Bingo (noun) means a game in which players mark off numbers on a card as they are called out, winning by completing a line or the whole card. Example: “Grandma plays bingo at the community hall every Friday.”
How to Use Bingo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe numbers game, or an exclamation of sudden success.
Word Forms
bingoed past tense, bingos plural, bingos singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Grandma plays _____ at the community hall every Friday.
Etymology
Likely an altered form of "bing," imitating the ringing sound of a bell; recorded as the name of the game since the 1920s.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bingo
See all rhymes for bingo →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “bingo” mean?
The word “bingo” means a game in which players mark off numbers on a card as they are called out, winning by completing a line or the whole card. In plain terms, the numbers game, or an exclamation of sudden success.
How do you pronounce “bingo”?
“Bingo” is pronounced BIHNG-goh (/ˈbɪŋ.ɡoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bingo” in a sentence?
Here is “bingo” used in a sentence: “Grandma plays bingo at the community hall every Friday.”
What part of speech is “bingo”?
Depending on how it is used, “bingo” can be a noun and an intj.
Where does the word “bingo” come from?
The word “bingo” dates back to around 1920. Likely an altered form of "bing," imitating the ringing sound of a bell; recorded as the name of the game since the 1920s.
Is “bingo” a common word?
“Bingo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bingo” have?
“Bingo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a game in which players mark off numbers on a card as they are called out, winning by completing a line or the whole card.
What is the difference between saying bingo and saying eureka?
Both bingo and eureka are used to announce sudden success or understanding, but bingo has a casual, everyday tone drawn from the game, while eureka carries a more dramatic, celebratory tone associated with discovery. Bingo is more common in relaxed conversation.
How is bingo played as a game?
Bingo is played by marking off numbers on a card as they are called out, with players winning by completing a line or the entire card. It is typically played in groups, with a caller announcing numbers at random.
Why do people say bingo outside of the game?
People say bingo outside the game to announce that something has been found, understood, or achieved, similar to shouting a win, using the word's exclamatory sense rather than its meaning as the game itself.