Bang
/bæŋ/
nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Idiom
Meanings
Question
Definitions
2 meanings1
A sudden, loud noise.
/bæŋ/
nounneutralBeginner
General
A loud, explosive sound.
I heard a loud bang in the night.
💡 Simply: A loud noise.
More Examples
2
The fireworks went off with a bang.
How It's Used
General
"There was a loud bang from the street."
2
To strike or hit something forcefully and noisily.
/bæŋ/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To hit something forcefully.
He banged the door shut.
💡 Simply: To hit hard.
More Examples
2
Don't bang your head on the wall!
How It's Used
General
"He banged his fist on the table."
Tip:Imagine hammering a nail – that's banging.
Idioms & expressions
bang on
Exactly correct
"His prediction was bang on."
Onomatopoeic; imitates the sound of a sudden loud noise. Its origins are obscure, but the word's use has been traced back centuries.
The onomatopoeic nature of the word has meant its usage has remained largely consistent across history, though its specific connotations might vary across contexts and time periods.
Memory tip
Think of a firecracker going off – that's a bang!
Practice
Base: bang
bnagbanng
Usage
70%Spoken
30%Written