sting

sting1 [ stıŋ ] (past tense and past participle stung [ stʌŋ ] ) verb *

1. ) intransitive or transitive if an insect or animal stings you, it hurts you by sticking a sharp part of its body into your skin:

He was stung by a wasp.

Some types of fish can sting.

a ) if a plant stings you, it makes a mark on your skin and hurts you when you touch it

b ) to have or cause a sudden pain or uncomfortable feeling:

The smoke stung her eyes.

My eyes were stinging because of the salt in the water.

2. ) transitive to affect someone, often causing them to react in a particular way:

Stung by their recent defeat, the French are determined to win this time.

a ) to make someone feel angry and upset:

She was stung by her father's criticism.

3. ) transitive LITERARY if tears sting your eyes, you feel as if you are going to cry

be stung for something MAINLY BRITISH INFORMAL

to pay more than you should for something

sting

sting 2 [ stıŋ ] noun count

1. ) a sudden pain or uncomfortable feeling:

She felt the sting of tears in her eyes.

2. ) INFORMAL a trick prepared by the police to catch criminals

a sting in the tail

something unpleasant that comes with something that seems to be pleasant

take the sting out of something

to make something less unpleasant