dinger: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, slang. Predominantly used in sports (baseball) contexts or related casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “dinger” mean?
A home run in baseball. A long, powerful hit that allows the batter to run around all bases and score.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A home run in baseball. A long, powerful hit that allows the batter to run around all bases and score.
Something outstanding, excellent, or impressive (slang, often extended from its baseball origin). Can also refer to a person or thing that is notably good or effective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively American, originating from and tied to baseball culture. In British English, the concept of a 'home run' exists but 'dinger' is not a standard term for it.
Connotations
In the US: sports-related, celebratory, informal, often conveying admiration. In the UK: largely unknown; if encountered, recognized as an Americanism.
Frequency
Common in US sports media and casual talk, especially among baseball fans. Extremely rare to non-existent in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “dinger” in a Sentence
[Subject] hit a dinger.[Subject] is a real dinger.That [noun] is a dinger.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dinger” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used.
American English
- He dingered one into the upper deck.
- The rookie dingered his first major league hit.
adverb
British English
- Not used.
American English
- He hit the ball dinger-deep into center field.
adjective
British English
- Not used.
American English
- That was a dinger hit!
- He's known for his dinger power.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in standard business contexts. May appear metaphorically in very informal US business slang to mean 'a big success'.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in US casual conversation, primarily when discussing sports or metaphorically praising something.
Technical
Used in baseball commentary and analysis as informal jargon for a home run.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dinger”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Applying it to other sports incorrectly (e.g., a soccer goal).
- Spelling as 'dingor' or 'dingher'.
- Using it in UK contexts where it is not understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal slang, primarily used in sports and casual conversation.
Yes, but only informally and mostly in American English, to describe something impressively good or successful (e.g., 'That joke was a real dinger!').
Typically, no. The sport of cricket has its own extensive terminology. 'Dinger' would be recognised as an American baseball term.
Its etymology is uncertain but is believed to be connected to the 'ding' sound of a bat hitting a ball or from late 19th/early 20th century American slang.
A home run in baseball. A long, powerful hit that allows the batter to run around all bases and score.
Dinger: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪŋ.ə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪŋ.ər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go yard (synonymous for hitting a home run)”
- “Take it deep”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the 'DING' sound a baseball makes when hit perfectly by a metal bat. That 'DING-er' is a home run.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER IS FORCE/DISTANCE (a powerful hit travels a long way). EXCELLENCE IS A HOME RUN (something excellent is like a successful, scoring hit).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'dinger' MOST appropriately used?