bling

or bling-bling

[bling or bling-bling]Slang.

noun

expensive and flashy jewelry, clothing, or other possessions.

the flaunting of such possessions or the flashy lifestyle associated with it.

adjective

flashy; ostentatious.

verb (used without object)

to flaunt one's material wealth; live a flashy lifestyle.

verb (used with object)

to dress or adorn in a flashy way: Bling up your wardrobe!

Origin of bling

1995-2000; perhaps imitative of the imaginary sound that light makes when reflecting off a diamond

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bling

Contemporary Examples of bling

I was camera-loading and interning for people like Chris Blauvelt (The Bling Ring) who are now coming up as cinematographers.
True Detective Director Cary Fukunaga’s Journey from Pro Snowboarder to Hollywood’s Most Wanted
Marlow Stern
February 26, 2014
Maybe while catching up on Gossip Girl or watching the opening scene of The Bling Ring.
Hardcore Mixed With Honey: ‘Bitter Rivals’ and the Evolution of Sleigh Bells
Amy Zimmerman
October 30, 2013
It could be that is exactly what frugal Pope Francis has in mind for the Bishop of Bling.
Germany’s Bishop of Bling
Barbie Latza Nadeau
October 16, 2013
The so-called Bishop of Bling also spent $3.6 million on a new chapel and $1.5 million on sleeping quarters for visiting clergy.
Germany’s Bishop of Bling
Barbie Latza Nadeau
October 16, 2013
It was inevitable that fashion would find a way to bring The Bling Ring onto store shelves.
Now You Can Buy Some of the Bling Ring’s Stolen Cache
Misty White Sidell
June 14, 2013

Historical Examples of bling

For that I want give you something to bling you much good luck.
The Forest of Mystery
James H. Foster
Night′-war′bling, singing in the night; Night′ward, toward night.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)
Various
Dissem′blance (rare), want of resemblance: the act of dissembling; Dissem′bler; Dissem′bling.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)
Various
“Me bling message,” and he reached into his blouse and drew out a piece of paper folded and pinned.
The Free Range
Francis William Sullivan
The boy pointed, trying to speak, "Bling Mist' Donal back," he gulped.
The Second Latchkey
Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson

Word Origin and History for bling

also bling-bling, by 1997, U.S. rap slang, "wealth, expensive accessories," a sound suggestive of the glitter of jewels and precious metals (cf. German blinken "to gleam, sparkle").