binge
C1Informal, but widely accepted in general discourse.
Definition
Meaning
A short period of excessive indulgence in an activity, especially eating or drinking.
Any period of intense, excessive, or uncontrolled engagement with something, such as watching TV series, shopping, or working.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has evolved from a focus on compulsive consumption (food/drink) to media consumption (binge-watching). It implies a loss of control and a deviation from normal behavior.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The verb 'to binge' is slightly more established in AmE, but the noun form is equally common.
Connotations
Mostly negative, implying unhealthy excess, but 'binge-watch' has become a normalized, often neutral or even positive term for entertainment.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, especially due to the rise of streaming culture ('binge-watch').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] to binge (on sth)[N] a binge (on sth)[V+N] binge-watch (a series)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in informal contexts like 'a binge of hiring' or 'a spending binge'.
Academic
Used in psychology/health literature regarding eating disorders and addictive behaviors.
Everyday
Extremely common, especially for discussing TV, food, and weekend activities.
Technical
In clinical psychology, refers to a specific symptom of disorders like BED (Binge Eating Disorder).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We binged the entire series over the bank holiday weekend.
- He tends to binge on biscuits when he's stressed.
American English
- We binged the whole show over the holiday weekend.
- She binged on Netflix after her finals.
adverb
British English
- (Rare; typically 'binge' is not used as a standalone adverb. Use adverbial phrases like 'in a binge').
American English
- (Rare; see British note).
adjective
British English
- Binge-watching is a common rainy-day activity.
- The government launched a campaign against binge drinking.
American English
- Binge-watching is my favorite weekend plan.
- Binge drinking on campus is a serious concern.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I ate a lot of chocolate. It was a binge!
- We watched TV all day.
- I went on a shopping binge last Saturday.
- He binge-watched three seasons of the show.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BIN' + 'GE' (as in 'gorge'). You 'gorge' yourself so much you feel ready for the bin.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMPTION IS A CONTAINER (you 'go on' a binge, you are 'in' a binge). EXCESS IS A JOURNEY/FALL (spiral into a binge, fall off the wagon with a binge).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'запой' (heavily associated only with alcohol).
- Do not use 'обжорство' for media binges; it's only for food.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'binge' as a formal medical term without context (e.g., 'He suffers from binge' is incorrect; it's 'binge eating').
- Confusing 'binge' (period of excess) with 'splurge' (often a single act of spending).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for the word 'binge'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, but 'binge-watch' has become socially neutral or even positive, describing a common leisure activity.
Yes, especially with media. 'We binged the new series' is common. For consumption, 'on' is often used: 'binge on crisps'.
'Binge' emphasizes duration and loss of control (eating/drinking/watching for hours). 'Splurge' emphasizes spending money, often on one special item.
No, it's informal. In formal medical/psychological writing, terms like 'binge-eating episode' or 'period of excessive consumption' are preferred.
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