bigging: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency / Archaic / Dialectal / Slang)Archaic, Dialectal (Scottish/Northern English), Informal (in modern slang sense).
Quick answer
What does “bigging” mean?
The archaic or dialectal present participle of the verb 'to big,' meaning to build or dwell.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The archaic or dialectal present participle of the verb 'to big,' meaning to build or dwell.
Can refer to the act of building or construction, or historically, a building itself (noun). In modern slang (chiefly UK), it can mean boasting or talking someone up excessively ('bigging someone up').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The archaic/dialectal noun/verb is primarily associated with Scottish and Northern English heritage. The informal verb sense 'bigging up' (praising) is predominantly British slang, rarely used in American English.
Connotations
In archaic use: neutral, related to construction. In modern slang: positive, implying enthusiastic praise or promotion.
Frequency
Extremely rare in American English in any sense. In British English, the slang usage is understood but not high-frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “bigging” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be + bigging + [Object] (archaic)[Subject] + be + bigging + [Object] + up (slang)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bigging” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's always bigging up his favourite football team.
- They were bigging the new album on social media.
American English
- The host was bigging up the guest's achievements on the podcast. (Understood but marked as British)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or linguistic studies discussing obsolete terms or dialects.
Everyday
Rare. If used, it's in the informal British slang sense: 'Stop bigging him up, he's not that good.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bigging”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bigging”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bigging”
- Using 'bigging' as a regular adjective (e.g., 'a bigging problem').
- Using the slang phrasal verb without 'up' (e.g., 'He was bigging me' instead of 'He was bigging me up').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is either an archaic/dialectal word for 'building' or a modern informal British slang term from the phrasal verb 'big up'.
Only if you are directly quoting an historical source or discussing the word itself linguistically. It is not appropriate for general academic prose.
'Bragging' is boasting about yourself. 'Bigging up' usually means praising someone or something else, though you can 'big yourself up' which is then similar to bragging.
Dictionaries are historical records of the language. They include obsolete words to aid in understanding older literature and to show the development of the language.
The archaic or dialectal present participle of the verb 'to big,' meaning to build or dwell.
Bigging is usually archaic, dialectal (scottish/northern english), informal (in modern slang sense). in register.
Bigging: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɪɡ.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɪɡ.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bigging it up”
- “big yourself up”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'bigging up' a project: you're making it seem BIGger and better than it is.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRAISE IS CONSTRUCTION (slang) - To 'big someone up' is metaphorically building their reputation.
Practice
Quiz
In contemporary informal British English, 'bigging someone up' primarily means: