tang

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈtaŋ 

1

a

: a sharp distinctive often lingering flavor

b

: a pungent odor

c

: something having the effect of a tang (as in stimulation of the senses)

the tang of the autumn air

add tang to your writing

2

a

: a faint suggestion : trace

my comment held a tang of sarcasm

b

: a distinguishing characteristic that sets apart or gives a special individuality

3

: a projecting shank, prong, fang, or tongue (as on a knife, file, or sword) to connect with the handle

4

: any of various surgeonfishes compare blue tang

tanged

ˈtaŋd 

adjective

tang

2 of 5

verb (1)

tanged; tanging; tangs

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with a tang

2

: to affect with a tang

tang

3 of 5

verb (2)

tanged; tanging; tangs

: clang, ring

tang

4 of 5

noun (2)

: a sharp twanging sound

Tang

5 of 5

noun (3)

ˈtäŋ 

variants or T'ang

: a Chinese dynasty dated a.d. 618–907 and marked by wide contacts with other cultures and by the development of printing and the flourishing of poetry and art

Synonyms of tang

Noun (1)

• hint
• touch
• glimmer
• flicker

Examples of tang in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the young author's novel is surprisingly earnest, tackling its subject without the slightest tang of irony

there's a real tang to her poetry—it's not all sweetness and light

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

When fully deployed, the titanium lockbar moves directly behind the blade tang to establish lockup. — New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

Raisins and orange juice provide some sweet relief from the spice while adding acid and tang. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026

My sauce has a nice vinegar tang, a little bit of sweet, and a little bit of smoky flavor, followed by a really nice peppery finish. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026

Cream of tartar adds a touch of tang but keeps the cookies chewy, too. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse tangi point of land, tang

Verb (2)

imitative

Noun (3)

Chinese (Beijing) Táng

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb (1)

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1556, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1686, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1669, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tang

• blue tang

Rhymes for tang

• bang
• chuang
• clang
• dang
• drang
• fang
• gang
• gangue
• hang
• hange
• kang
• langue

Kids Definition

tang

noun

ˈtaŋ

1

: a sharp often lingering flavor

2

: a sharp odor