ding-dong
Americannoun
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ding-dongs
plural
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the sound of a bell.
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any similar sound of repeated strokes.
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Slang. ding-a-ling.
adjective
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characterized by or resembling the sound of a bell.
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marked by rapid alternation of retaliatory action.
a ding-dong struggle.
noun
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the sound of a bell or bells, esp two bells tuned a fourth or fifth apart
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an imitation or representation of the sound of a bell
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a violent exchange of blows or words
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( as modifier )
a ding-dong battle in the board room
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adjective
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of ding-dong
1550–60; gradational compound based on ding, apparently blend of din 1 and ring 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Inside were cameras and listening devices throughout the house; anyone approaching his locked bedroom would be detected and announced by loud ding-dong sounds before reaching the bedroom door.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
It went to eight deuces before a netted backhand allowed Siniakova to level the set at 3-3 before another ding-dong battle in the next game.
From Barron's ● Jan. 22, 2026
I was delighted it was a proper ding-dong of a race, and you want to win the good ones.
From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2025
Hostess is ding-dong ditching one of its fan-favorite sweet treats.
From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2025
Gramps had said, “We’ll see the whole ding-dong country!”
From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech
I am puzzled by a series of ding-dongs which follow my use of the internet.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 29, 2023
How would you react if some ding-dongs led by a guy in a Viking horns hat got riled up on conspiracy message boards, broke into your workplace, and took a dump on the floor?
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2022
Complete with sleigh bells, ding-dongs and celestial choirs, it is one of three songs the stars wrote after Sir Elton pitched the idea last Christmas.
From BBC ● Dec. 2, 2021
“And then we figured out where it was so, and then one of your officers was like, ‘Hey, hey ding-dongs, you’re at the wrong spot.’”
From New York Times ● Jul. 8, 2020
Some ding-dongs believe me, though, and when that happens, I keep the lie going, spinning it until I run out of ideas: I backpacked through France, Germany, and Spain with my rich aunt from Barcelona.
From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
