# Ming

/ˈmɪŋ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ming
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. Chinese dynasty

noun · CEFR B2

a famous family of rulers in China from 1368 to 1644, known for beautiful art and building the Great Wall.

For teachers: the imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, noted for its administrative stability and cultural achievements.

- The museum has a beautiful collection of vases from the Ming dynasty.
- Scholars often cite the Ming era as a period of significant maritime exploration and unparalleled refinement in ceramic production.

### 3. to be unpleasant or smelly

verb · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang · Informal

to smell very bad or to be very ugly.

For teachers: to emit a foul odour or to be aesthetically repulsive. Intransitive in this slang usage.

- Ugh, your old gym shoes really ming after that long run.
- The bins had been left out in the summer heat for a week and were starting to ming noticeably.

### 4. disgusting

adjective · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang · Informal

very ugly, dirty, or unpleasant.

For teachers: highly unattractive or physically disgusting. Derived from the verb form; often used as 'minging'.

- I'm not eating there; the kitchen looks absolutely ming.
- He refused to wear the uniform, claiming the fabric was itchy and the colour was ming.

## Examples

- We had a nice ming with friends after work.
- The office organized a small ming to celebrate the team's recent success.
- The evening evolved into a relaxed ming, where professional boundaries dissolved into easy conversation and shared laughter.

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