bingeing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, but common in journalistic and psychological contexts.
Quick answer
What does “bingeing” mean?
The act of engaging in a short period of excessive indulgence, especially in eating or drinking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of engaging in a short period of excessive indulgence, especially in eating or drinking.
Engaging in any activity excessively and compulsively for a limited time, such as watching television, shopping, or consuming digital media.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
While the meaning and usage are identical, the spelling variant 'binging' is equally, if not more, common in American English. 'Bingeing' is the more traditional spelling to preserve the soft 'g' sound from 'binge'.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
The spelling 'bingeing' is slightly more established in British English, while 'binging' is frequent in American usage.
Grammar
How to Use “bingeing” in a Sentence
[Subject] is bingeing[Subject] is bingeing on [Object][Subject] spent [Time] bingeing [Activity]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bingeing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She's been bingeing on chocolate biscuits all afternoon.
- They spent last weekend bingeing the new detective series.
American English
- He's bingeing Netflix shows instead of studying.
- After the diet, she worried about bingeing on pizza.
adjective
British English
- A bingeing student missed the deadline.
- His bingeing habits became concerning.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like 'consumers bingeing on holiday sales'.
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, and media studies literature on compulsive behaviors.
Everyday
Very common, especially regarding food, drink, and television/streaming.
Technical
Used clinically in psychology/psychiatry to describe episodes of compulsive consumption.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bingeing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bingeing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bingeing”
- Misspelling as 'binging' (though accepted) or 'binge-ing'. Confusing with 'binging' as a sound.
- Using it for a single, normal large meal (e.g., a big dinner) rather than a compulsive, excessive period.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are accepted. 'Bingeing' is often preferred to keep the soft 'g' sound from 'binge' clear, similar to 'singeing' vs. 'singing'. 'Binging' is very common, especially in American English.
Rarely. The term inherently suggests excess and lack of control, so it usually carries a negative or at least self-indulgent connotation, even for fun activities like watching TV.
'Overeating' is a broader term for eating too much on any occasion. 'Bingeing' specifically implies a discrete episode of compulsive, rapid, and excessive consumption, often in secret, followed by feelings of distress.
Yes, it is a very common and widely accepted compound verb and noun, having entered mainstream dictionaries due to the rise of streaming services.
The act of engaging in a short period of excessive indulgence, especially in eating or drinking.
Bingeing is usually informal, but common in journalistic and psychological contexts. in register.
Bingeing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɪndʒɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɪndʒɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bingeing and purging (for eating disorders)”
- “Binge-watch marathon”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BINGE as a binge, and the -EING keeps the 'g' soft (like in 'bingE'), so you're 'bingE-ing'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMPTION IS A FEAST/FAMINE CYCLE; LACK OF CONTROL IS A SPREE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bingeing' LEAST likely to be used?