ding
|ding|
/dɪŋ/
short struck sound / small hit or dent
Etymology
'ding' originates from Old English, specifically the verb 'dingan', which meant 'to strike' and is imitative of the sound of a blow or a bell.
'ding' later appeared in Middle English as 'dyng' (and related forms) as both a verb meaning 'to strike' and a noun for the sound; over time the word also took on senses of a small dent and of a short ringing/notification sound, leading to the modern English 'ding'.
Initially, it meant 'to strike' (a physical blow), but over time it acquired related meanings such as 'the sound made by a small bell', 'a small dent caused by a strike', and the modern informal 'notification sound' or 'minor penalty'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a short, clear ringing or metallic sound, like that of a small bell.
I heard a ding from the oven when the timer went off.
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Noun 2
a small dent, nick, or mark caused by being hit or struck.
There's a ding on the bumper after the parking scrape.
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Noun 3
a short notification sound on an electronic device (informal).
My phone gave a ding and I saw a new message.
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Verb 1
to strike lightly so as to produce a ringing sound.
She dinged the bell to call everyone to dinner.
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Verb 2
to make a small dent or nick in something (to damage slightly).
The grocery cart dinged my car door in the parking lot.
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Verb 3
informal: to penalize slightly or mark down (e.g., deduct points or criticize).
He was dinged on his review for missing a deadline.
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Interjection 1
an exclamation used to indicate something correct, completed, or announced (like 'ta-da').
Ding! That's the right answer.
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Last updated: 2025/12/11 10:21