ming: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (informal, slang)Informal, slang, often considered vulgar or offensive
Quick answer
What does “ming” mean?
To give off a strong, unpleasant smell.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To give off a strong, unpleasant smell; to stink.
To be extremely unpleasant, disgusting, or of very low quality; can also refer to something or someone unattractive or socially awkward.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively British/Australian slang. It is very rare in American English, where words like 'stink' or 'reek' are used instead.
Connotations
In British usage, it carries a strong, often humorous or crude connotation of disgust. It can be insulting when applied to a person.
Frequency
Common in certain British dialects and youth slang; virtually non-existent in standard American English.
Grammar
How to Use “ming” in a Sentence
Something mings.Something mings of something.To ming something out.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ming” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Your trainers really ming, mate. Put them outside.
- The bin's started to ming in this heat.
American English
- (Not used; an American might say 'Your shoes really stink, dude.')
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used)
adjective
British English
- He's a bit mingy, isn't he?
- What a mingy old pub.
American English
- (Not used; an American might say 'He's a bit gross, isn't he?')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used informally among friends, often humorously, to complain about a bad smell or something disgusting.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ming”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it as a neutral term for any smell.
- Overusing it in American contexts where it is not understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal slang and can be considered rude or vulgar, especially if directed at a person.
Yes, informally. For example, 'What a ming!' means 'What a disgusting thing/smell/person!'
'Minging' is the more common adjective form (e.g., 'a minging smell'), while 'ming' is often the verb or a more blunt noun.
It is very unlikely unless they are familiar with British slang through media. They would use 'stink', 'reek', or 'smell bad' instead.
To give off a strong, unpleasant smell.
Ming is usually informal, slang, often considered vulgar or offensive in register.
Ming: in British English it is pronounced /mɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ming something out: to make a place smell very bad.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MING' as a short, sharp word for a bad smell – it sounds like a pinched nose saying 'ming!' in disgust.
Conceptual Metaphor
BAD IS SMELLY / UNPLEASANTNESS IS A FOUL ODOUR
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'ming' most commonly used as slang?