Meaning & use
plugging
Last updated
“plugging” is a form of “plug”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Closing a hole or gap by pushing something into it.
Grammar: Takes an object: plugging the leak, plugging the gap.
Patterns
- plug something with something
- plug a hole
He is plugging the leak in the pipe with a rag.
Workers were plugging the gaps in the wall before winter.
She spent the afternoon plugging holes in the garden fence.
verbtransitive
Connecting a device to a power source or another device by pushing a plug into a socket.
Grammar: Often a phrasal verb: plugging in the lamp, or plugging the lamp into the wall.
Patterns
- plug something in
- plug something into something
I'm plugging my laptop into the socket by the window.
He kept plugging in new cables without checking the labels.
She is plugging the speakers into the amplifier.
verbtransitiveinformal
Mentioning or praising a book, product or event repeatedly in order to help it sell or become known.
Grammar: Takes an object, and is informal: plugging her new book.
Patterns
- plug something on something
- plug a product
The author is plugging her new novel on every talk show.
He keeps plugging his band's concert in every conversation.
The host spent five minutes plugging the sponsor.
Word forms
| base form | plug |
|---|---|
| third person singular | plugs |
| past tense | plugged |
| past participle | plugged |
Common combinations
- plugging a leak
- The crew is plugging a leak in the boat's hull.
- plugging a gap
- The new hire is plugging a gap in the team.
- plugging away
- She kept plugging away at her thesis.
- plugging in
- Plugging in the kettle took only a second.
- plugging a new product
- The singer was plugging a new album on the radio.
Synonyms and how they differ
- promoting
- Promoting is the neutral, standard word, while plugging sounds informal and a little pushy.
- blocking
- Blocking can mean stopping any passage and is more general than plugging, which fills a hole.
- connecting
- Connecting covers any link, wired or not, while plugging is specifically about using a plug.
- advertising
- Advertising usually means a paid campaign, whereas plugging is often a casual mention.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: plugging or plaguing?
plugging vs plaguing
Plaguing means troubling again and again, not filling a hole or promoting something, though the spelling is similar.
Practice
He spent the evening ___ the hole in the wall with plaster before painting.
Choose one answer.
Plugging means filling a hole, which fits the plaster. Unplugging and connecting are about electrical connections, and promoting means advertising.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “plugging”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.