ding-dong

1 of 3

noun

ˈdiŋ-ˌdȯŋ How to pronounce ding-dong (audio)
-ˌdäŋ
Synonyms of ding-dongnext
1
: the ringing sound produced by repeated strokes especially on a bell
2
: nitwit, kook

ding-dong

2 of 3

verb

ding-donged; ding-donging; ding-dongs

intransitive verb

1
: to make a ding-dong sound
2
: to repeat a sound or action tediously or insistently

ding-dong

3 of 3

adjective

chiefly British
: marked by a rapid exchange or alternation (as of blows)
a ding-dong battle

Synonyms of ding-dong

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Noun

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Examples of ding-dong in a Sentence

Noun there's always one ding-dong in the tour group who wanders off and gets lost
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Hopefully, now this kid can stop being a moody ass little ding-dong about it. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 May 2026 In their search for a late-night ding-dong ditcher, a California homeowner discovered a bear pulling a prank. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025 Earlier this year, an 11-year-old boy in Houston was shot and killed while playing the seemingly harmless prank of ding-dong-ditch. — Stephanie Murray, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025 In California, a 45-year-old man who ran down a group of ding-dong ditch pranksters, killing three teenagers, was sentenced in 2023 to life in prison. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ding-dong

Word History

Etymology

Noun

imitative

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ding-dong was in 1611

Rhymes for ding-dong

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Browse Nearby Words

dingbat
ding-dong
dingdong theory
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ding-dong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ding-dong. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ding-dong

noun
ˈdiŋ-ˌdȯŋ, 
-ˌdäŋ
: the ringing sound made by repeated strokes especially on a bell
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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