Word
banger
US/ˈbæŋɝ/
UK/bˈæŋɡɐ/
Countable noun InformalMusic
Definition
n. a song with a very loud, energetic beat that people love to dance to. You use this word when a song is exciting and very popular.
n. an energetic song with a catchy melody and strong beat, typically in the pop, electronic, or hip-hop genres. Informal in register; common in contemporary music criticism and social media.
Examples
“The DJ played one banger after another all night.”
“The band's latest single is an absolute banger that will definitely be a hit at summer festivals.”
“While the album features several experimental tracks, it is anchored by a radio-ready banger that ensures its commercial viability in a crowded market.”
Examples
simple
“The DJ played one banger after another all night.”
contextual
“The band's latest single is an absolute banger that will definitely be a hit at summer festivals.”
complex
“While the album features several experimental tracks, it is anchored by a radio-ready banger that ensures its commercial viability in a crowded market.”
Usage
Commonly used with the intensifier 'absolute' in British and Australian English.
Real-World Examples
“Posh had already been beaten, the previous year, by actually-quite-posh Sophie Ellis-Bextor, whose Rob Davis-assisted Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love) had left Beckham’s banger Out of Your Mind at No 2.” Etymology
From bang + -er. The sausages were so called because of their excess water content and impervious skin, leading to the risk of explosion if not punctured before cooking.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/banger