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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

ling

lihng

Ling (noun) means a long, slender saltwater fish related to cod, used as food. Example: “The fishmonger had fresh ling on the counter.”

noun
1
A long, slender saltwater fish related to cod, used as food.
"The fishmonger had fresh ling on the counter."
2
Common heather, a low shrub with small purple flowers found on moorland.
"The hillside was covered in purple ling in late summer."

How to use ling

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a cod-like fish or, separately, common heather.

Word forms

lings plural, ling plural, lings plural, ling plural, Lings plural

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Test yourself on “ling” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The fishmonger had fresh _____ on the counter.

Etymology

From Middle English lenge, of Germanic origin and possibly related to "long," describing the fish's slender shape.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for ling

See all rhymes for ling →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ling” mean?

The word “ling” means a long, slender saltwater fish related to cod, used as food. In plain terms, either a cod-like fish or, separately, common heather.

How do you pronounce “ling”?

“Ling” is pronounced lihng (/lɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “ling” in a sentence?

Here is “ling” used in a sentence: “The fishmonger had fresh ling on the counter.”

What part of speech is “ling”?

“Ling” is a noun.

Where does the word “ling” come from?

The word “ling” comes from Middle English. From Middle English lenge, of Germanic origin and possibly related to "long," describing the fish's slender shape.

Is “ling” a common word?

“Ling” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “ling” have?

“Ling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, slender saltwater fish related to cod, used as food.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial