Word
barking
Phoneticsbark·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɑɹkɪŋ/
UK/bˈɑːkɪŋ/
Definitions
01making a dog sound
A2 · Elementary
v. making the short, loud sound that a dog makes.
v. the present participle of bark; producing the characteristic short, explosive cry of a dog.
“The neighbor's dog was barking all night at a stray cat.”
“The guard dogs were barking incessantly at the perimeter fence, alerted by a rhythmic scratching sound coming from the woods.”
Synonyms
02crazy
B2 · Upper Intermediate British English · Slang · Informal
adj. completely crazy or very foolish.
adj. insane or extremely eccentric. A clipping of the phrase 'barking mad', primarily used in British English.
“You must be barking if you think I'm going for a swim in this freezing weather.”
“His plan to launch a luxury umbrella shop in the middle of the Sahara desert was dismissed by the board as utterly barking.”
Usage
Usually follows the verb 'to be' or 'to go'.
Teaching tip
This is a very common British idiom; outside of the UK, people might not understand it without the word 'mad' attached.
03the sound itself
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act or sound of a dog making a noise.
n. the action or series of sounds produced by a dog or similar animal.
“The loud barking from the backyard made it hard to hear the television.”
“The constant barking of the hounds echoed through the valley, signaling that the hunt had finally located the scent.”
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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