bling

noun \ ˈbliŋ \

variants: or bling-bling play \ˈbliŋ-ˌbliŋ\

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of bling

: flashy jewelry worn especially as an indication of wealth or status; broadly : expensive and ostentatious possessions

Recent Examples of bling from the Web

Sleek watch Guys appreciate a little bling, too, and this neutral timepiece will go with everything.

— kelsey stiegman, Seventeen, "21 Out-of-the-Box Birthday Gifts Your Boyfriend Will Love," 31 Jan. 2018
Saturday was an opportunity to do it again, but by putting a modern spin on the celebration and reunion with some serious bling.

— mike carmin, Post-Tribune, "High school honors 1964 cross country champions with rings," 27 Apr. 2018
SUBSCRIBE TODAY Enjoy that new bling @LeaderOfHorde pic.twitter.com/B6AuBC4SlS — EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) April 18, 2018 Bogdanovic was in Turkey for Fenerbahce's first playoff game of its title defense.

— noel harris, sacbee, "‘Enjoy that new bling’: How this King got his new championship ring | The Sacramento Bee," 18 Apr. 2018
Check out the royal-to-be’s simple and stunning new bling.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "Meghan Markle Commemorated Her Baptism with this Gorgeous Accessory," 12 Mar. 2018
In a season where much of the red carpet appearances have had an all-black dress code in honor of the Time's Up and #MeToo movements, actress Salma Hayek didn't skimp on the bling when dressing for the Oscars this evening.

— carrie goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Salma Hayek Brings The Bling to The Oscars Red Carpet," 5 Mar. 2018
All the bling is worthless without highly creative menus at every meal, Whiteman said.

— liz biro, Indianapolis Star, "Why restaurants in Indianapolis hotels don't have to suck," 12 Apr. 2018
Then-Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake wore her bling to gavel at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

— john-john williams iv, baltimoresun.com, "Best of Baltimore 2018: Lifestyle and shopping," 11 Apr. 2018
Guests who show up for DROP-IN WORKSHOPS ON DECORATIVE EGGS will have an opportunity to transform a basic egg shape into a miniature work of art using beads, baubles and bling.

— greg crawford, Detroit Free Press, "Plan your weekend: Baseball exhibit at the DIA, egg hunt at the zoo, falling marshmallows," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bling

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1999

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up bling? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

bling

Definition of bling

Recent Examples of bling from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bling

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

riposte

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Noun + Verb Insult Generator

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

'Folksonomy': Let’s Get Organized

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Name That Thing

Word Winder's CrossWinder

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word

bling

Definition of bling

Recent Examples of bling from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bling

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word