Word
winging
Phoneticswing·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɪŋɪŋ/
UK/wˈɪŋɪŋ/
Definition
v. to do something without planning, making it up as you go. You use it when you speak or perform without preparation.
v. to improvise or act without preparation, relying on spontaneity rather than a fixed plan. Most frequent in the collocation 'wing it'.
Examples
“She is winging her speech without any notes.”
“He forgot his slides, so he is winging the presentation and answering questions from memory.”
“Although she had prepared for weeks, the power cut forced her into winging the final lecture with only a whiteboard and her memory.”
Examples
simple
“She is winging her speech without any notes.”
contextual
“He forgot his slides, so he is winging the presentation and answering questions from memory.”
complex
“Although she had prepared for weeks, the power cut forced her into winging the final lecture with only a whiteboard and her memory.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “winging” in context.
Verb
01. keep winging
“She decided to keep winging until the audience asked questions.”
verb + verb
02. stop winging
“Stop winging and spend ten minutes preparing your points.”
verb + verb
03. winging through meeting
“He was winging through the meeting with no slides ready.”
verb + prep + noun
04. winging without preparation
“She was winging without preparation in front of the class.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. just winging
“Sorry, I'm just winging this talk because my notes are gone.”
adv + verb
06. totally winging
“He's totally winging his answer, but it sounds confident.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. winging presentation
“We ended up winging the presentation when the laptop failed.”
verb + noun
08. winging speech
“I was winging my speech after I lost my cue cards.”
verb + noun
09. just winging it
“I haven't prepared, I'm just winging it today.”
10. stop winging it and prepare
“Stop winging it and prepare properly for tomorrow.”
11. winging it without notes
“She went on stage winging it without notes.”
12. winging my way through
“I'm just winging my way through this interview.”
Usage
Typically appears as 'wing it' or 'winging it'; intransitive in this idiomatic sense, with no direct object beyond 'it'.
Related words
- 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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