Bang

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /bæŋ/

Definitions

1. A loud, sharp noise often caused by an explosion or impact ; to hit something or someone with great force ; an event where two objects or people collide suddenly ; casual term for sexual activity between two people
2. An abrupt and powerful sound like a loud crash or blast ; to deliver a forceful blow or strike ; a situation involving a sudden crash or jolt ; informal expression for engaging in sexual relations
3. A sudden high-decibel noise indicating an explosion or strike ; the act of forcefully hitting or striking ; an occurrence where a quick accident or collision happens ; a slang term used to denote sexual intercourse

Etymology: Before it meant a sudden crash, "bang" was a verb for hammering. Its roots run deep into Germanic speech: Proto-Germanic "bangōną" meant "to beat, pound," and it passed into Old English as "bangian" and into Old Norse as "banga," both carrying the sense of striking or hammering. Relatives survive across the north, including Swedish "banka" ("to knock, pound") and Dutch "bengel" ("bell; rascal"). The noisy sense grew naturally out of that force. A hard blow makes a sharp report, so a loud, sudden sound came to be called a bang, and the word was then used for an abrupt action as well. Two later senses come from unrelated sources. A fringe of hair is from "bang off," meaning to cut short, while the abrupt left turn comes from the "Boston left," with its associated risk of a crash.

Synonyms: bang, thump, slam, snap, crash

Antonyms: whisper, murmur, silence, hush, calm