dinges: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial, slang
Quick answer
What does “dinges” mean?
An informal or slang term used to refer to a thing whose name one cannot recall, does not know, or does not wish to specify.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal or slang term used to refer to a thing whose name one cannot recall, does not know, or does not wish to specify; a whatsit, a thingamajig.
Can sometimes be used humorously or dismissively to refer to a person, typically a man, especially one perceived as silly or eccentric.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it is extremely rare and would likely be misunderstood. In American English, it is virtually unknown except in niche contexts or among speakers familiar with South African or Dutch. Its primary use is in South African English.
Connotations
In South African English: informal, familiar, slightly humorous. In other Englishes: likely confusion or perceived as a nonce word.
Frequency
Common in South African English; very low to non-existent in British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “dinges” in a Sentence
Pass me [the] dinges.Where did you put the dinges for the [tool/object]?It's one of those dinges that you use to [verb].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate; use precise technical or commercial terms.
Academic
Unacceptable; requires precise terminology.
Everyday
Possible in very informal, familiar settings in relevant dialects (e.g., SA), often accompanied by a gesture.
Technical
Never used; exact terminology is essential.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dinges”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it outside of South African or specific informal contexts.
- Assuming it is a standard English word understood globally.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a real word in some dialects, most prominently South African English, borrowed from Afrikaans. It is not part of standard British or American English.
No. It is informal, non-standard, and likely to be marked down for inappropriate register or lack of precision.
They are synonyms in function, but 'dinges' is specific to certain dialects (mainly SA English), while 'thingamajig' is more widely understood in informal English globally.
Yes, but this is less common and usually humorous or mildly derogatory, e.g., 'He's a bit of a silly dinges.'
An informal or slang term used to refer to a thing whose name one cannot recall, does not know, or does not wish to specify.
Dinges is usually informal, colloquial, slang in register.
Dinges: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪŋəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪŋəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a dinges and a donges (informal, implying assorted bits and pieces)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound 'ding' a small bell makes - a 'dinges' is a small, insignificant thing you can't quite name.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNKNOWN OBJECT IS A NON-ENTITY (given a trivial, placeholder name).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'dinges' a relatively common informal word?