Ring
/rɪŋ/
Definitions
5 meaningsA circular band, typically of metal, worn as an ornament on the finger or other part of the body.
/rɪŋ/
A circular band, typically of metal, worn as jewelry or used for a specific purpose.
He gave her a gold ring.
💡 Simply: A ring is like a circle you can wear on your finger! Like when you get married, you put a wedding ring on.
👶 For kids: A ring is a circle, like a bracelet for your finger!
More Examples
The wrestlers competed in the wrestling ring.
The tree had a ring in it to measure its age.
How It's Used
"She wore a diamond ring on her finger."
"The boxer stepped into the ring."
"The company formed a ring of protection around its assets."
A clear, resonant sound, especially that made by a bell.
/rɪŋ/
The sound made by a bell.
I heard the ring of the doorbell.
💡 Simply: The sound a phone or a doorbell makes when it's calling or notifying you.
👶 For kids: The noise a bell makes.
More Examples
The telephone gave a loud ring.
The phone gave a single ring.
How It's Used
"The phone's ring interrupted their conversation."
"The church bells rang out across the village."
To make a clear resonant sound, like that of a bell.
/rɪŋ/
To make the sound of a bell.
I will ring you later.
💡 Simply: To call someone on the phone (or for the phone to make a calling sound).
👶 For kids: To make the sound of a bell.
More Examples
She rang the doorbell.
The fire alarm is ringing.
How It's Used
"He rang the doorbell."
"The bells of the cathedral rang out at noon."
To telephone (someone).
/rɪŋ/
To call someone on the telephone.
Ring me when you arrive.
💡 Simply: To use a phone to contact someone.
👶 For kids: To call someone on the phone.
More Examples
I tried to ring him, but the line was busy.
He rang her and told her about the news.
How It's Used
"I will ring you later tonight."
To surround or encircle.
/rɪŋ/
To encircle something or someone.
The castle was ringed by a high wall.
💡 Simply: To form a circle around something or someone.
👶 For kids: To put something or someone in a circle around it.
More Examples
The police ringed the building.
She ringed the picture with a decorative frame.
How It's Used
"The soldiers ringed the fort."
Idioms & expressions
ring a bell
To sound familiar; to remind someone of something.
"That name rings a bell, but I can't quite place it."
have a ring of truth
To seem true or genuine.
"Even though it's hard to believe, what he said has a ring of truth."
From Old English hring, related to Old Norse hringr and Proto-Germanic *hringaz, likely derived from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to curve' or 'circle'.
Used since Old English times, with different meanings evolving over time.
Memory tip
Think of the Olympic rings.
Word Origin
"To curve, circle"