noun
Common
sting
STIHNG
Sting (noun) means a sharp pain, or the puncture and injection of venom by an insect or animal. Example: “The bee sting on his arm swelled up quickly.”
noun
1
A sharp pain, or the puncture and injection of venom by an insect or animal.
"The bee sting on his arm swelled up quickly."
"The nettle sting made her hand itch for the rest of the afternoon."
"A wasp sting can be painful, so stay calm and keep away from the nest."
2
An undercover police operation designed to catch someone committing a crime.
"Detectives ran a sting to catch the counterfeiters in the act."
"The sting ended when the suspect handed over cash to an officer pretending to be a buyer."
"Police set up a sting at the market to catch people selling fake tickets."
verb
1
To hurt someone by piercing them with a stinger, or to cause a sharp pain.
"The jellyfish stung her leg while she was swimming."
"His harsh words really stung."
How to use sting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sharp pain from a puncture (insect, insult), or a police trap operation.
Common pairings
bee sting
sting operation
sting of defeat
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Word forms
- Plural
- stings
- Third person singular
- stings
- Past tense
- stung, stang
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bee _____ on his arm swelled up quickly.
Etymology
From Old English sting, related to a Germanic root shared with words describing a piercing thrust.
Related words
Rhymes for sting
See all rhymes for sting →Frequently asked questions
What does “sting” mean?
The word “sting” means a sharp pain, or the puncture and injection of venom by an insect or animal. In plain terms, a sharp pain from a puncture (insect, insult), or a police trap operation.
How do you pronounce “sting”?
“Sting” is pronounced STIHNG (/ˈstɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sting” in a sentence?
Here is “sting” used in a sentence: “The bee sting on his arm swelled up quickly.”
What part of speech is “sting”?
Depending on how it is used, “sting” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sting” come from?
The word “sting” comes from Old English. From Old English sting, related to a Germanic root shared with words describing a piercing thrust.
Is “sting” a common word?
“Sting” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sting” have?
“Sting” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sharp pain, or the puncture and injection of venom by an insect or animal.
What is the difference between a "sting" and a "bite"?
A sting typically involves an insect or animal injecting venom through a stinger, causing sharp pain, while a bite involves teeth or jaws puncturing or clamping down.
Can "sting" be used for emotional pain?
Yes, figuratively "sting" describes words or criticism that cause emotional hurt, echoing the sharp physical pain of the literal sense.
