ming

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitiveBritishslang

   To give off a very bad smell.

   Grammar: No object: the bins ming in summer.

   Patterns

   • something mings
   • ming of something

   The fridge absolutely mings after that fish went off.

   Those old trainers ming; throw them out.

   Your gym bag has started to ming.

2. 2verbintransitiveBritishslang

   To be very unpleasant or poor in quality.

   Grammar: A rougher, more figurative use, usually with 'it': it mings.

   Patterns

   • something mings

   That cafe's coffee honestly mings.

   The toilets at the festival ming.

Word forms

Common combinations

ming of something

The kitchen mings of old cabbage.

absolutely ming

This milk absolutely mings.

really ming

Your socks really ming.

it mings

Don't open that tub; it mings.

Synonyms and how they differ

stink

Stink is understood everywhere and is a little more neutral than ming, which is very informal and British.

reek

Reek is stronger and more written, suggesting a smell you can't escape.

pong

Pong is another British informal verb, but it sounds slightly more playful than ming.

Word family

minging adjective

smelly, disgusting or ugly, a British informal word

minger noun

an insulting term for an unattractive person, best avoided

minge noun

a different and vulgar word, not related to this verb

Commonly confused: ming or Ming?

Practice

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