donga

[ dong-guh, dawng-guh ]

/ ˈdɒŋ gə, ˈdɔŋ gə /

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noun

(in an ice shelf) a small ravine with steep sides.

(in South Africa) an eroded ravine; a dry watercourse.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of donga

1875–80; <Nguni (compare Zulu u(lu)donga); perhaps directly < a pidginized form with loss of the class prefix, as Fanagalo donga

Words nearby donga

done to a T, Donets, Donets Basin, Donetsk, dong, donga, Dongen, Don Giovanni, dongle, Dongola, Dongola leather

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use donga in a sentence

The force kept to the donga almost the whole march, scarcely for a moment leaving its shelter.
The Record of a Regiment of the Line|M. Jacson
Whilst they remained thus, suddenly through the mist they heard a voice shouting from the other side of the donga.
The Ghost Kings|H. Rider Haggard
He saw, about fifty yards off, the prince running down the donga with fourteen Zulus in close pursuit.
History of the Zulu War|A. Wilmot
Donga and tree stump afforded excellent cover for the slim adversary, sniper or scout.
South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. IV (of 6)|Louis Creswicke

With these and the party in the donga he went on, making for the rear of the Boer position, and keeping out of range of the Ridge.
Two Years on Trek|Louis Eugne du Moulin

British Dictionary definitions for donga (1 of 2)

donga¹

/ (ˈdɒŋɡə) /

noun

Southern African, Australian and NZ a steep-sided gully created by soil erosion

Word Origin for donga

C19: Afrikaans, from Nguni donga washed out gully

British Dictionary definitions for donga (2 of 2)

donga²

/ (ˈdɒŋɡə) /

noun

(in Papua New Guinea) a house or shelter

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012