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Bling: meaning, definitions and examples

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bling

 

[ blɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

fashion accessory

Bling refers to flashy, ostentatious jewelry or accessories that are meant to attract attention. It is often characterized by the excessive use of sparkling or shiny materials, such as diamonds and other precious stones. This term became popular in the late 1990s within hip-hop culture, denoting wealth and success. Bling can also imply a sense of extravagance, indulgence, and sometimes a lack of taste. It is used in a playful or derogatory manner to comment on someone's overly showy adornments.

Synonyms

accessories, jewelry, sparkle

Examples of usage

  • She loves to wear bling whenever she goes out.
  • The rapper's bling was the talk of the event.
  • His bling reflects his success in the music industry.

Translations

Translations of the word "bling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 brilho

🇮🇳 चमक

🇩🇪 Glimmer

🇮🇩 berkilau

🇺🇦 блиск

🇵🇱 błysk

🇯🇵 きらめき

🇫🇷 brillant

🇪🇸 brillo

🇹🇷 parıltı

🇰🇷 반짝임

🇸🇦 بريق

🇨🇿 lesk

🇸🇰 iskra

🇨🇳 闪光

🇸🇮 blesk

🇮🇸 gljá

🇰🇿 жарқырау

🇬🇪 ბრჭყვიალა

🇦🇿 parıldamaq

🇲🇽 brillo

Etymology

The term 'bling' emerged in the late 1990s, specifically within the hip-hop culture, as a slang term used to describe the shiny and extravagant jewelry that many rappers and hip-hop artists wore. It is believed to have originated from the sound of the word itself, which mimics the twinkling or sparkling sounds of light reflecting off diamonds and other gemstones. The word gained significant traction through rap music and was often associated with themes of wealth, status, and self-promotion. In the early 2000s, 'bling' broke into mainstream culture, becoming a popular descriptor not only for jewelry but also for anything that is flamboyant or showy. Its usage has since expanded into various contexts, including fashion, lifestyle, and even technology, as people began to use it to describe anything that is overly adorned or flashy. Even today, 'bling' retains a playful connotation and is often used both affectionately and critically to comment on excess and opulence.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,395 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.