pong: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, slightly childish or humorous
Quick answer
What does “pong” mean?
A strong, unpleasant smell.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A strong, unpleasant smell.
To emit a strong, unpleasant smell; also, an informal name for table tennis, though this is less common for the term alone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Common and widely understood in UK English. In US English, it is very rare for the meaning 'bad smell'; 'stink' is preferred. The video game/trademark 'Pong' is recognized globally.
Connotations
In UK English, it can be playful or euphemistic for a stronger word like 'stink'. In US English, if used at all, it might sound deliberately British or quaint.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech. Extremely low frequency in US English for the 'smell' sense.
Grammar
How to Use “pong” in a Sentence
There's a pong in [the room].[Something] pongs.[Something] gives off a pong of [source].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pong” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Your trainers absolutely pong! You need to air them out.
- This bin is starting to pong a bit.
American English
- (Rare, if used) This cheese really pongs! (Sounds deliberately British).
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; 'pongily' is non-existent).
American English
- (Not used).
adjective
British English
- It's a bit pongy in the loo after your brother used it.
- Take those pongy socks off!
American English
- (Virtually never used).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Used humorously among friends or family in the UK to complain about a smell (e.g., 'What's that pong?').
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pong”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it in American English expecting to be understood (for the smell sense).
- Confusing it with the game 'Pong'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and can be humorous or childish. It is less harsh than 'stink'.
They would likely be misunderstood if using it to mean a bad smell. They might recognize it from British media. The word is known for the vintage video game 'Pong'.
'Pongy' (informal UK), as in 'pongy cheese'.
'Pong' is informal, often lighter or more humorous. 'Stench' is stronger, more formal, and describes a powerfully offensive smell.
A strong, unpleasant smell.
Pong is usually informal, slightly childish or humorous in register.
Pong: in British English it is pronounced /pɒŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /pɑːŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pong like a badger's armpit (humorous, vulgar UK simile)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PONG rhymes with WRONG and LONG - a bad smell that lasts LONG is definitely WRONG.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMELL IS AN INVASIVE FORCE ('The pong filled the room').
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the word 'pong' (meaning a bad smell) most commonly used?