ring
ring — noun
1. any round shape or line that forms a closed curve, or any object shaped like a c
any round shape or line that forms a closed curve, or any object shaped like a circle with an open centre.
The children sat in a ring on the floor while the teacher read a story.
spatial arrangement: 'in a ring'
Water spread in rings across the pond after Mizuki threw a small stone.
ripple pattern: 'rings across'
The old tree trunk had dark rings that showed how many years it had lived.
Diego slid the metal ring onto the curtain rod and hung the fabric.
A ring of police officers stood around the building to keep people away.
- in a ring
- form a ring
- key ring
- napkin ring
- tree ring
- smoke ring
- ring of fire
Usage Note
This is the most basic sense of the noun. It describes any circular shape or object — from physical objects (napkin rings, key rings) to patterns (smoke rings, tree rings).
2. a decorative circle made from a valuable material such as gold or silver, worn o
a decorative circle made from a valuable material such as gold or silver, worn on a finger as an ornament or a symbol.
Rania showed off her diamond engagement ring to everyone at the office.
engagement ring / diamond ring
Meera wears a simple gold ring that her grandmother gave her years ago.
Before the wedding, Rafael slid the ring onto his partner's finger.
The wedding rings were placed on a small velvet cushion during the ceremony.
wedding ring / wedding band
Adina had the ring resized because it felt too loose on her finger.
- engagement ring
- wedding ring
- gold ring
- silver ring
- diamond ring
- ring finger
- wear a ring
- ring size
- band
a plain ring without decoration; also called a wedding band
- signet ring
a ring with a flat surface that can be engraved with initials or a design
- circlet
literary term for a small ring or crown, rarely used in everyday speech
Usage Note
Different types include engagement rings (given when a couple decides to marry) and wedding rings (exchanged during the wedding ceremony). 'Ring' without context usually means a finger ring.
Common Mistakes
3. a small organisation whose members act together secretly, typically to achieve d
a small organisation whose members act together secretly, typically to achieve dishonest or illegal goals.
Police arrested seven people linked to a drug ring operating in the city.
typical collocation: drug ring
The smuggling ring moved stolen artworks across three different countries.
smuggling ring
Élise discovered that a spy ring had been passing secrets to a foreign government.
spy ring
A gambling ring was operating from the back room of the restaurant for years.
Prosecutors charged six members of the fraud ring with stealing money from the elderly.
- drug ring
- spy ring
- smuggling ring
- gambling ring
- fraud ring
- crime ring
- break up a ring
Usage Note
Almost always appears with a modifier naming the illegal activity: drug ring, smuggling ring, spy ring, fraud ring. Often used in news reports about crime investigations.
4. one of the flat, round parts on top of a stove or cooker that produces heat for
one of the flat, round parts on top of a stove or cooker that produces heat for cooking food in a pan.
Nala left the soup simmering on the back ring of the stove.
position: 'back ring'
Ignacio turned the gas ring to a high flame to boil water quickly.
gas ring
Make sure all the rings are switched off before you leave the kitchen.
The electric ring on the cooker glowed red when Imani turned it on.
Meera wiped the grease off the stove rings after cooking the fish.
- gas ring
- electric ring
- back ring
- front ring
- cooker ring
- turn on the ring
- ring of the stove
Usage Note
Common in British English (BrE 'cooker ring', 'gas ring'). In American English the term 'burner' is more common. A cooker typically has four rings.
5. a square or circular enclosed area where a contest, performance, or show takes p
a square or circular enclosed area where a contest, performance, or show takes place, especially a boxing match or circus performance.
The boxer stepped into the ring and raised his gloves to the crowd.
boxing ring
A clown rode a tiny bicycle around the circus ring while the audience laughed.
The referee counted to ten as the fighter lay on the floor of the ring.
Diego trained for months before his first match inside a real boxing ring.
Two trained elephants stood side by side in the centre of the circus ring.
- boxing ring
- circus ring
- in the ring
- enter the ring
- step into the ring
- ring announcer
- ringside
- arena
a much larger space for sports or entertainment, with seats around it
- square ring
occasionally used to describe the boxing ring's actual shape
- dais
a raised platform, not specifically for fighting or performances
Usage Note
Despite its name, a boxing ring is actually square — the term comes from the original shape used in early prizefighting. 'Step into the ring' is an idiom meaning to enter a competition or fight.
6. one of two circular handles that hang from ropes above the floor, used by gymnas
one of two circular handles that hang from ropes above the floor, used by gymnasts to perform strength and balance routines — usually used in plural: rings.
Christopher held himself perfectly still in the rings routine, showing great upper-body strength.
plural: 'the rings'
The gymnast swung between the rings before landing a perfect dismount.
Mizuki won a silver medal on the rings at the national gymnastics competition.
Practising on the rings requires strong shoulder muscles and good balance.
- gymnastics rings
- still rings
- rings routine
- on the rings
- rings event
- rings gymnast
- still rings
the formal name of the Olympic discipline
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural ('the rings') when referring to the gymnastics event or apparatus. 'Ring' (singular) can refer to one of the two handles. This is an Olympic gymnastics discipline for men.
7. an act of calling someone by telephone — a telephone call.
an act of calling someone by telephone — a telephone call.
I'll give you a ring tomorrow morning to confirm our lunch plans.
fixed phrase: 'give someone a ring'
Rafael missed three rings from his mother while he was in the meeting.
Amihan gave the doctor a ring and made an appointment for next week.
I tried to give you a ring earlier, but your phone was switched off.
After a quick ring to the hotel, Esme confirmed that the room was ready.
- give someone a ring
- miss a ring
- quick ring
- call
the most common general term for phoning someone
- phone call
neutral, used in both British and American English
Usage Note
Used mainly in British English in the fixed phrase 'give someone a ring' (make a phone call). In American English people more often say 'give a call' or 'a phone call'. This is the noun form of the verb sense 'ring' (to phone).
8. the loud, clear noise produced when a bell is hit or shaken.
the loud, clear noise produced when a bell is hit or shaken.
The ring of the church bells could be heard all across the village.
ring of + bell(s)
There was a loud ring as the blacksmith struck the anvil with his hammer.
Adina knew the school day was over when she heard the ring of the bell.
The phone has a soft ring that does not startle people in the office.
A clear ring echoed through the hall when the grandfather clock struck noon.
- ring of a bell
- ring of the phone
- ring of truth
- clear ring
- loud ring
Usage Note
Often used with a prepositional phrase specifying the source: 'the ring of a bell', 'the ring of the phone'. In the phrase 'there is a ring of truth to it', the meaning shifts metaphorically to 'a quality that sounds or seems true'.
to be far better, faster, or more skilful than someone at doing something.
The new player ran rings around the defenders and scored three goals.
Élise runs rings around her classmates in maths — she finishes every test first.
to announce that you intend to compete in an election or contest.
Three candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the mayor election.
Rafael decided to throw his hat into the ring and run for class president.
the brass ring
idiomA chance to achieve great success, especially after working hard.
Maya finally grabbed the brass ring and got her dream job.
After years of effort, the team seized the brass ring and won the championship.
To be much more skilled or effective than someone else in a particular activity.
In math class, Sara runs rings around her classmates.
Brian used to struggle with chess, but now he runs rings around his dad.
ring — verb
1. to use a telephone to contact someone and speak to them.
to use a telephone to contact someone and speak to them.
I'll ring you later tonight after I finish my homework.
ring + person (transitive)
Amihan rang for a taxi after the party ended at midnight.
ring + for + thing needed
The doctor's office rang to remind me about my appointment.
ring + to-infinitive
Christopher rang his sister in Canada to wish her a happy birthday.
Someone rang while you were in the shower — I took a message.
- ring somebody back
- ring for something
- ring to confirm
Grammar Patterns
ring + somebody
ring + for something
ring + to do something
Usage Note
Common in British English. In American English 'call' is preferred. Past tense is 'rang' and past participle is 'rung': 'I rang you yesterday', 'I have rung three times'. Distinguish from verb sense 2: this sense means to phone someone, not to make a bell sound.
Common Mistakes
2. to produce a clear, resonant sound like a bell, or to cause a bell to make such
to produce a clear, resonant sound like a bell, or to cause a bell to make such a sound.
The school bell rings at half past three every afternoon.
intransitive: bell rings
Ignacio rang the bell and waited for someone to open the door.
transitive: ring + bell
My ears are still ringing from the loud music at the concert last night.
idiomatic: 'ears ring'
A loud crash rang through the house when the shelf fell down.
ring through + place
The applause rang in the hall long after the performance had ended.
- ring a bell
- ring loudly
- ring through
- ring out
- ears ring
- ring true
Grammar Patterns
ring + adverb/preposition
ring + bell (transitive)
bell + rings (intransitive)
Usage Note
Past tense is 'rang', past participle is 'rung'. Can be used transitively ('ring the bell') or intransitively ('the bell rang'). For ears ringing after loud noise, use 'my ears are ringing' — always in the continuous form. See also the fixed phrase 'ring a bell' (idiom: sound familiar).
Common Mistakes
3. to form a circle around someone or something — to enclose or encircle.
to form a circle around someone or something — to enclose or encircle.
Tall, ancient trees ring the small lake, giving it shade all summer.
active: trees ring + lake
The old town square is ringed by beautiful historic buildings.
passive: is ringed by
Security guards ringed the building after the threat was reported.
The garden was ringed with low stone walls that kept the sheep out.
passive: ringed with
Dark mountains ring the valley on every side, blocking the wind.
- ringed by
- ringed with
- ring about
- ring around
- open
to create a space without enclosing objects around it
Grammar Patterns
ring + object + with/by
be ringed + with/by
Usage Note
Regular verb: past tense is 'ringed' (not 'rang'). Often appears in the passive form 'be ringed by/with'. This is a different verb from the irregular 'ring - rang - rung' used for phone and bell senses.
Common Mistakes
4. to put a circular mark around a written word, number, or answer to highlight or
to put a circular mark around a written word, number, or answer to highlight or select it.
The teacher asked us to ring the correct answer in each row.
ring + answer
Meera ringed the items she still needed to buy on the shopping list.
ring + items on list
Please ring any spelling mistakes you find in the paragraph.
Imani ringed the exam date on her calendar so she would not forget.
- ring an answer
- ring a word
- ring a date
- ring items
Grammar Patterns
ring + noun phrase (usually a word or item on a list)
Usage Note
Regular verb: past tense is 'ringed' (not 'rang'). Common in classroom instructions and marking. In American English people more often say 'circle' instead of 'ring'.
5. to put a small metal band around the leg of a bird so that its movements and lif
to put a small metal band around the leg of a bird so that its movements and life can be tracked and studied by scientists.
Scientists ring birds at the nature reserve every spring to monitor migration patterns.
passive reading: ring birds for tracking
The young swan was ringed last month by a team from the university.
passive: bird + was ringed
Each bird that is ringed receives a unique number stamped on the tiny metal band.
Diego volunteers at the bird observatory where he helps ring migrating songbirds.
- ring a bird
- bird ringing
- ringed swan
- ringed pigeon
- band
American English equivalent; more widely recognised internationally
Grammar Patterns
ring + bird
Usage Note
Regular verb: past tense is 'ringed'. In American English the term 'band' is more common (opposite of the jewellery sense). The object is always an animal, typically a bird. The noun form of this practice is 'bird ringing' in British English.
ring back
phrasal verbto return a phone call to someone who called earlier, or to make another call to someone after a short time.
Adina asked me to ring back in ten minutes because she was busy.
I missed his call, but I will ring him back as soon as the meeting ends.
ring up
phrasal verbto record the price of an item on a cash register by pressing buttons, or (British English) to make a phone call.
The cashier rang up the groceries while Imani put the items into her bag.
Esme rang up her mother to tell her the good news about the job.
ring off
phrasal verbto end a telephone call by putting down the receiver.
Isabela rang off before I could ask her the most important question.
After a brief argument, Meera rang off without saying goodbye.
ring a bell
idiomto sound familiar to someone — used when a name, fact, or memory seems as though you have heard or seen it before, but you cannot fully remember it.
That name does not ring a bell — are you sure you met me at the conference?
The song rings a bell from my childhood, but I cannot recall the title.
to sound or seem genuine and believable (true) or insincere and doubtful (false).
The suspect's excuse did not ring true, so the detective asked more questions.
His apology rang false because he was smiling while he spoke.
ring the changes
idiomto vary the way you do something by making small changes, especially to add variety or interest.
The chef rings the changes by adding different herbs to the basic recipe each week.
To keep the class interesting, the teacher rings the changes between group work and lectures.
ring off the hook
idiomfor a telephone to ring many times, usually because many people are calling at once.
The hotel phones were ringing off the hook after the fire alarm went off.
After the advertisement aired, the customer service line rang off the hook all day.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/2
All four words describe jewellery worn on the finger, but they differ in style and context. 'Ring' is the general term — it covers everything from a simple metal circle to an elaborate diamond piece. 'Band' specifically refers to a plain, unadorned ring with no gemstone or decoration; wedding bands are the most common example. 'Circlet' is a literary or historical term seldom used in modern speech — it can describe a small crown or a delicate ring, but sounds archaic. 'Signet ring' is a ring with a flat, engraved surface, traditionally used to stamp a wax seal on documents; it carries a formal, sometimes old-fashioned tone. For everyday use, 'ring' is always correct. If you mean a simple, smooth circle without stones, use 'band'. If you mean a ring with a carved emblem, use 'signet ring'. Example: 'She wears a plain gold band on her left hand, while her engagement ring has three diamonds.'
Common collocations
Phrases
- ring of fire
- ring of truth
- run rings around
- throw your hat into the ring
- ring a bell
- ring the changes
Etymology
The word 'ring' comes from Old English 'hring', meaning a circular band or a circle. This word goes back to Proto-Germanic '*hringaz' (a circle, a curve), and is related to Old Norse 'hringr', Dutch 'ring', and German 'Ring'. The verb senses split into two historical paths: the 'bell sound' and 'telephone' meaning come from the same root, as bells make sound when struck in a circular motion. The 'surround' meaning also derives from the idea of forming a circle. The 'band a bird' meaning developed later from the noun sense of a circular band placed around a leg. All modern senses ultimately trace back to the ancient concept of a circle.