VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

charging

verb, noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈtʃɑːdʒɪŋ/
US/ˈtʃɑːrdʒɪŋ/

“charging” is a form of “charge”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive or intransitive

    Present participle of 'charge'; to ask someone for money for a service or item.

    Grammar: When used as a verb, it can take an object (charge someone) or be used without an object (they charge for delivery).

    Patterns

    • charge someone for something
    • charge for something

    The hotel is charging extra for breakfast.

    He is charging his clients too much.

    Are they charging for parking?

  2. verbtransitivelegal

    Present participle of 'charge'; to accuse someone formally of a crime.

    Grammar: Usually in passive: 'He is being charged with theft.'

    Patterns

    • charge someone with something

    The police are charging him with robbery.

    She is being charged with fraud.

  3. verbtransitive or intransitivetechnical

    Present participle of 'charge'; to put electricity into a device or battery.

    Grammar: Can be used with an object (charge a phone) or without (the phone is charging).

    Patterns

    • charge something
    • charge up

    I'm charging my phone before we leave.

    The car is charging in the garage.

  4. noununcountable

    The act of asking for a payment, or the price asked.

    Grammar: Used as a gerund; often followed by 'for'.

    Patterns

    • charging for something
    • no charging

    The charging for delivery is too high.

    There is no charging for children under five.

Word forms

third person singularcharges
past tensecharged
past participlecharged
present participlecharging

Common combinations

charging station
We found a charging station for electric cars.
charging cable
I need a new charging cable for my tablet.
charging ahead
The team is charging ahead with the project.
charging someone with a crime
The prosecutor is charging him with a crime.

Synonyms and how they differ

billing
Often used for regular or formal requests for payment, like utilities.
accusing
Used for blaming someone, but not necessarily in a legal sense.

Opposites

dischargingrefunding

Word family

charge verb
To ask for payment, accuse, or fill with electricity.
charge noun
A price asked, a formal accusation, or an electric load.
charger noun
A device for charging batteries.

Commonly confused: charging or charing?

charging vs charing

Not a common word; 'charging' is the correct spelling for the -ing form of 'charge'.

Practice

Which sentence uses 'charging' correctly?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “charging”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words