Definition

1. Adjective:

   • (informal) Very large, huge, or impressive in size or amount: Used to emphasize something is exceptionally big or significant.
   • (informal) Excellent, exciting, or very good: Used to describe something as outstanding or thrilling.

2. Noun:

   • A continuing very loud noise: A persistent, forceful, and resonant sound, like that of repeated knocking or explosions.
   • The act of subjecting to strong attack or criticism: The action of harshly criticizing or assaulting someone or something.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • They made a banging profit on that deal. (They made a very large profit.)
  • We had a banging time at the concert last night! (We had an excellent time.)

• Noun:

  • The constant banging from the construction site gave me a headache. (The continuous loud noise...)
  • The politician faced a banging from the press over the scandal. (The politician faced strong criticism...)

Advanced Usage

• "Go (off) with a bang/banging": To be very successful or exciting.

  • The festival went off with a real banging finale. (The festival ended with a very exciting finale.)

• "Banging on about something" (phrasal verb, related): To talk about something repeatedly and tediously.

  • He's always banging on about his new car. (He's always talking incessantly about it.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bang (verb/noun): To hit something forcefully; a sudden loud noise.

  • He banged the door shut. (He closed the door forcefully.)
  • We heard a loud bang. (We heard a sudden loud noise.)

• Bang (adverb, informal): Exactly; directly.

  • The train arrived bang on time. (The train arrived exactly on time.)

Synonyms

• Adjective (large): Enormous, massive, tremendous, thumping.
• Adjective (excellent): Fantastic, brilliant, awesome, cracking (UK informal).
• Noun (noise): Pounding, thumping, crashing, hammering.
• Noun (attack): Lambasting, criticism, onslaught, bombardment.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bang into: To collide with someone or something.

  • I wasn't looking and banged into the door frame. (I collided with the door frame.)

• Bang out: To produce something quickly and energetically, especially music or writing.

  • The band banged out their greatest hits. (The band played their hits energetically.)

Related Idioms

• Bang for your buck: Value for money; a good return on investment.

  • This car gives you a lot of bang for your buck. (This car offers great value.)

• Bang goes something: Used to express that a plan or hope is suddenly ruined.

  • Bang goes my chance of a promotion. (My chance of promotion is suddenly ruined.)

• Bang to rights (UK informal): Caught in the act of doing something wrong.

  • The police caught him bang to rights. (The police caught him with clear evidence.)

Adjective

1. (used informally) very large
   • a thumping loss

Noun

1. the act of subjecting to strong attack
2. a continuing very loud noise