noun

ring

rihng

noun

A small circular band, often worn on a finger as jewelry.

"He proposed with a diamond ring."

"She twisted her wedding ring nervously."

A roughly circular arrangement or shape, or an enclosed area used for a contest such as boxing.

"The children stood in a ring around the fire."

"The boxers touched gloves before the bell rang for the ring."

verb

To make a clear, resonant sound, as a bell does; also, to telephone someone.

"The church bells rang out across the village."

"I'll ring you later to confirm the plan."

How to Use Ring

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA circular band or shape, or the sound a bell makes, or (informally, mainly UK) to phone someone.

UK vs US

"Ring someone" (meaning to call them on the phone) is common in British English; American English usually says "call."

Common pairings

wedding ring boxing ring ring a bell ring someone up

ringed past tense, rang past tense, rung past tense, rings plural, rings plural, rings plural, rings singular, rings singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

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

Can you complete this real example?

He proposed with a diamond _____.

From Old English hring, meaning a circle or ring, going back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to turn or bend."

ing king wing sing ping bing ming zing ding Jing ting hing