-ing
1 of 3noun suffix (1)
iŋ,
also ēŋ;
in some dialects & in other dialects informally in,
ən,
also ēn;
after certain consonants ᵊn,
ᵊm,
ᵊŋ
1
: action or process
running
sleeping
: instance of an action or process a meeting
2
a
: product or result of an action or process
an engraving
—often in plural earnings
b
: something used in an action or process
a bed covering
the lining of a coat
3
: action or process connected with (a specified thing)
boating
4
: something connected with, consisting of, or used in making (a specified thing)
scaffolding
shirting
5
: something related to (a specified concept)
offing
-ing
2 of 3noun suffix (2)
: one of a (specified) kind
sweeting
-ing
3 of 3verb suffix or adjective suffix
—used to form the present participle
sailing
and sometimes to form an adjective resembling a present participle but not derived from a verb swashbuckling
Word History
Etymology
Noun suffix (1)
Middle English, from Old English -ung, -ing, suffix forming nouns from verbs; akin to Old High German -ung, suffix forming nouns from verbs
Noun suffix (2)
Middle English, from Old English -ing, -ung; akin to Old High German -ing one of a (specified) kind
Verb suffix or adjective suffix
Middle English, probably from -ing entry 1
Kids Definition
-ing 1 of 2
noun suffix
iŋ
1
: action or process
meeting
2
: product or result of an action or process
engraving
earnings
3
: something used in or connected with making or doing
roofing
-ing
2 of 2verb suffix or adjective suffix
—used to form the present participle
sailing
and sometimes to form adjectives that do not come from a verb hulking