# sting

/ˈstɪŋ/ (US) · /stˈɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sting
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to prick or wound

verb · CEFR B1

to hurt you by pushing a sharp point or poison into your skin, like a bee or a nettle plant.

For teachers: to wound or pierce the skin with a sharp-pointed organ, typically involving the injection of venom or an irritant.

- Be careful not to touch those plants because they will sting your hands.
- The jellyfish tentacles are designed to sting prey on contact, delivering a potent toxin that causes immediate paralysis.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice when referring to insects.

### 2. to feel sharp pain

verb · CEFR B2

to feel a sharp, burning pain in your body or your feelings.

For teachers: to experience or cause a sharp, localized, burning sensation, either physically or emotionally.

- My eyes began to sting because of the smoke from the campfire.
- His harsh criticism continued to sting long after the meeting had ended, damaging his confidence for the rest of the week.

### 3. the wound or pain

noun · CEFR B1

the small, painful bump or the sharp feeling left after being stung.

For teachers: the localized pain or the physical mark resulting from the act of stinging.

- She put some cream on the bee sting to stop the itching.
- The initial sting of the antiseptic was brief, but it was necessary to prevent the wound from becoming infected.

### 4. police trap

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a clever plan by the police to catch criminals by pretending to be part of a crime.

For teachers: a deceptive operation designed to catch a person committing a crime by using an undercover agent as a victim or accomplice.

- The police caught the thieves during a sting operation at the warehouse.
- Federal agents spent six months coordinating the sting, eventually arresting several high-profile figures involved in the smuggling ring.

### 5. TV/radio music

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a very short piece of music used in a TV show or film to separate scenes.

For teachers: a brief musical phrase or sound effect used in broadcasting to punctuate a scene or identify a station.

- The news program always starts with a dramatic musical sting.
- The sound designer inserted a sharp orchestral sting to emphasize the protagonist's sudden realization during the climax of the scene.

### 6. the stinger

noun · CEFR B2

the sharp part of an insect used to attack.

For teachers: the sharp-pointed organ of an insect or arachnid used for defense or attack.

- When a honeybee attacks, its sting often gets left behind in the skin.
- The biologist examined the wasp's sting under a microscope to study the mechanism of venom delivery.

## Examples

- The bee sting on my arm is very itchy.
- She felt the sting of his rejection long after the conversation had ended.
- The investigative team organized an elaborate sting to catch the smugglers as they attempted to move the stolen goods across the border.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.