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bung
1[ buhng ]
/ bʌŋ /
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noun
a stopper for the opening of a cask.
a bunghole.
verb (used with object)
QUIZ
ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?
We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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Origin of bung
1First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English bunge “bung, bunghole,” from Middle Dutch bong(h)e “stopper”
Words nearby bung
bundu, bundwall, bundy, bunfight, bun foot, bung, bungaloid, bungalow, bungee, bungee cord, bungee jumping
Other definitions for bung (2 of 3)
Origin of bung
2First recorded in 1840–50; perhaps from Waga (an Australian Aboriginal language spoken around Kingaroy, southern Queensland) bongī “dead”
Other definitions for bung (3 of 3)
bung3
[ buhng ]
/ bʌŋ /
verb (used with object)
to beat; bruise; maul (often followed by up).
British Slang. to throw or shove carelessly or violently; sling.
Origin of bung
3First recorded in 1815–25; originally Scots variant of bang1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use bung in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for bung (1 of 3)
bung1
/ (bʌŋ) /
noun
a stopper, esp of cork or rubber, for a cask, piece of laboratory glassware, etc
short for bunghole
verb (tr)
(often foll by up) to close or seal with or as with a bungthe car's exhaust was bunged up with mud
British and Australian slang to throw; sling
Word Origin for bung
C15: from Middle Dutch bonghe, from Late Latin puncta puncture
British Dictionary definitions for bung (2 of 3)
bung2
/ (bʌŋ) British slang /
noun
a gratuity; tip
a bribe
verb
bung it on (tr) to behave in a pretentious manner
Word Origin for bung
C16 (originally in the sense: a purse): perhaps from Old English pung, changed over time through the influence of bung 1
British Dictionary definitions for bung (3 of 3)
bung3
/ (bʌŋ) /
adjective Australian and NZ informal
useless
go bung
- to fail or collapse
- to die
Word Origin for bung
C19: from a native Australian language
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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