bung

¹

[ buhng ]

noun

1. a stopper for the opening of a cask.
2. a bunghole.

verb (used with object)

1. to close with or as if with a bung; cork; plug (often followed by up ).

bung

²

[ buhng ]

adjective

, Australian.

1. out of order; unusable; broken.
2. bankrupt.
3. Slang. dead.

bung

³

[ buhng ]

verb (used with object)

1. to beat; bruise; maul (often followed by up ).
2. British Slang. to throw or shove carelessly or violently; sling.

bung

¹

/ bʌŋ /

noun

1. a stopper, esp of cork or rubber, for a cask, piece of laboratory glassware, etc
2. short for bunghole

verb

1. often foll by up to close or seal with or as with a bung

   the car's exhaust was bunged up with mud

2. slang.
   to throw; sling

bung

²

/ bʌŋ /

adjective

1. useless
2. go bung
   1. to fail or collapse
   2. to die

bung

³

/ bʌŋ /

noun

1. a gratuity; tip
2. a bribe

verb

1. bung it on
   tr to behave in a pretentious manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of bung¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English bunge “bung, bunghole,” from Middle Dutch bong(h)e “stopper”

Origin of bung²

First recorded in 1840–50; perhaps from Waga (an Australian Aboriginal language spoken around Kingaroy, southern Queensland) bongī “dead”

Origin of bung³

First recorded in 1815–25; originally Scots variant of bang ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bung¹

C15: from Middle Dutch bonghe , from Late Latin puncta puncture

Origin of bung²

C19: from a native Australian language

Origin of bung³

C16 (originally in the sense: a purse): perhaps from Old English pung , changed over time through the influence of bung ¹

Example Sentences

It says Mr Hunt made a bold choice to reward work "rather than offer yet more bungs to pensioners", many of whom are natural Conservative voters.

From BBC

His critics and opponents will say this is nothing more than a cynical election bung.

From BBC

Their house now has a "bung", which blocks it off from the main sewer network.

From BBC

In his witness statement to the inquiry, Mr Cummings said he overheard Mr Johnson telling a senior official he wanted to "bung money" to long-time ally Lord Evgeny Lebedev, owner of the Evening Standard.

From BBC

"I just had a stinker of a cold and was all bunged up."

From BBC

Related Words

• blockade