ding
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for ding, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small dent, chip, or bit of minor damage.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use ding
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English "*dingan", "to strike or beat", related to Old Norse "dengja", "to hammer".
Full origin of ding →Frequently asked questions
What does “ding” mean?
The word “ding” means a small dent, chip, or bit of minor damage. In plain terms, a small mark of damage, a bell-like sound, or — informally — to knock points off or reject something.
How do you pronounce “ding”?
“Ding” is pronounced dihng (/dɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ding” in a sentence?
Here is “ding” used in a sentence: “There's a tiny ding on the car door from the shopping cart.”
What part of speech is “ding”?
Depending on how it is used, “ding” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ding” come from?
The word “ding” comes from Old English. From Old English "*dingan", "to strike or beat", related to Old Norse "dengja", "to hammer".
Is “ding” a common word?
“Ding” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ding” have?
“Ding” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small dent, chip, or bit of minor damage.
What is the difference between a ding and a dent?
A ding is typically a small, minor mark or chip, often used for lighter damage such as a small nick in a car door or piece of furniture. A dent usually refers to a more noticeable depression in a surface, so dings are generally considered less severe than dents.
What does it mean to get dinged in informal usage?
To get dinged informally means to be penalized, rejected, or criticized, such as being dinged for a late application or dinged on a performance review. This figurative sense extends the idea of minor damage to setbacks in evaluation or judgment.
Is ding used differently as a noun for sound versus damage?
Yes, ding as a noun can mean either a small chip or dent, or a short, high-pitched ringing sound like a bell, such as the ding of an elevator arriving. Context usually makes clear which sense is meant, since one refers to physical damage and the other to sound.