ting
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɪŋ/
US
- /ˈtɪŋ/
Description
- a light ringing sound
- a small clear chime
- a brief metallic note
- a slight stinging feeling
- a faint tingle
"Ting" is usually a small, clear ringing sound, like a bicycle bell, a spoon tapping a glass, or a tiny piece of metal striking something hard. Sometimes it can also mean a slight stinging or tingling feeling in the body. The word is used for things that feel or sound light, sharp, and brief rather than deep or heavy. You might hear a soft "ting" when a glass is tapped, or feel a little "ting" in your fingers after touching something very cold.
The word "ting" is most often used for a light, clear, high-pitched sound. It is an onomatopoeic word, so it sounds a little like the noise it describes: the ring of a small bell, the note made when a glass is tapped, or the quick sound of metal touching metal. In this sense, it suggests something delicate, sharp, and brief, not loud or heavy.
"Ting" can also be used for a slight stinging or tingling feeling in the body, though this use is less common than the sound sense. For example, someone might feel a little "ting" in their fingers from cold, static electricity, or a minor nerve sensation. In both uses, the idea is the same: something small, sharp, and momentary. It is a simple, vivid word for a tiny sound or feeling that lasts only an instant.
Examples
- 1
Shop bell
The little bell over the shop door gave a soft ting.
- 2
Cup sound
There was a sharp ting as the spoon hit the side of the cup.
- 3
Phone alert
Her phone made a quick ting, and she checked the message.
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- tingnounverb
Forms
- tingedpast tenseverbnoun
- tingspluralnounverb
- tinging-ing formverbnoun