bang
BANG
Bang (noun) means a sudden loud noise, such as an explosion or a hard impact. Example: “The door slammed shut with a loud bang.”
noun
1
A sudden loud noise, such as an explosion or a hard impact.
"The door slammed shut with a loud bang."
"We heard a bang from the kitchen and rushed to see what had fallen."
"A sudden bang outside made the dog bark and hide under the table."
2
In plural, a fringe of hair cut straight across the forehead (chiefly US).
"She got her bangs trimmed before the school photos."
"My sister has worn her bangs short ever since she moved to America."
"Do you think bangs would suit me, or would they look odd?"
verb
1
To hit something hard, often producing a loud noise.
"He banged the table with his fist to get everyone's attention."
"The shutters banged against the wall all night in the wind."
"She banged on the door until someone answered."
How to use bang
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA loud sudden noise or hard impact — or, in the US, a fringe of hair.
UK vs US
Americans say "bangs" for what British speakers usually call a "fringe."
Common pairings
bang the door
bang on about something
get bangs cut
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Word forms
- Plural
- bangs
- Third person singular
- bangs
- Past tense
- banged
- Comparative
- more bang
- Superlative
- most bang
- Archaic forms
- bangest, bangedst, bangeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The door slammed shut with a loud _____.
Etymology
Probably from Old Norse banga, "to pound or hammer," describing a heavy striking action; the hairstyle sense developed separately from "bang off," meaning cut straight across.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for bang
See all rhymes for bang →Frequently asked questions
What does “bang” mean?
The word “bang” means a sudden loud noise, such as an explosion or a hard impact. In plain terms, a loud sudden noise or hard impact — or, in the US, a fringe of hair.
How do you pronounce “bang”?
“Bang” is pronounced BANG (/ˈbæŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bang” in a sentence?
Here is “bang” used in a sentence: “The door slammed shut with a loud bang.”
What is another word for “bang”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bang” include strike, blow, explosion, blam, boom and boom-boom.
What is the opposite of “bang”?
The opposite of “bang” — its antonyms — are hang, humming and murmur.
What part of speech is “bang”?
Depending on how it is used, “bang” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bang” come from?
The word “bang” comes from Old Norse. Probably from Old Norse banga, "to pound or hammer," describing a heavy striking action; the hairstyle sense developed separately from "bang off," meaning cut straight across.
Is “bang” a common word?
“Bang” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "bang" and "thud"?
A "bang" is a sudden, sharp, loud noise like a gunshot or a slammed door, often high-pitched and resonant. A "thud" is a duller, heavier sound made by a soft or solid object hitting a surface, such as a book dropping onto carpet.
Is "bang" formal or informal English?
"Bang" is generally informal or neutral, common in everyday speech for both the noise ("a loud bang") and the action ("he banged the door"). In formal writing you might prefer "explosion," "impact," or "strike" depending on the meaning.
What is the difference between "bang" and "knock" as verbs?
"Knock" usually means to strike firmly, often deliberately and rhythmically, as in "knock on the door." "Bang" implies more force and noise, suggesting hitting something hard or repeatedly, as in "banging on the door to be let in."
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