Meaning

Used to form nouns or noun-like words (or elements of noun phrases) from verbs, denoting the act of doing something, an action, or the embodiment of an action..

Definitions by Sense

1. Used to form nouns or noun-like words (or elements of noun phrases) from verbs, denoting the act of doing something, an action, or the embodiment of an action.
2. Used to form nouns denoting materials or systems of objects which are used or employed in an action, or considered collectively.
3. Used to form present participles of verbs.
4. (no longer productive) Forming derivative nouns (originally masculine), with the sense ‘son of, belonging to’, as in placenames, patronymics or diminutives; -ite.
5. Forming nouns having a specified quality, characteristic, or nature; of the kind of

Example Sentences

Roofing is material that is used to roof.

Clothing is material with which one is clothed.

The piping is a system of pipes considered collectively.

Rolling stones gather no moss.

My new cabin, which is going to look over the lake, is getting a brand new roof this winter.

I wondered what time the play was starting.

Anybody touching this wire will get a deadly shock.

When it occurred, I was flying to New York a great deal.

Word Forms

• -in'
• -in
• -ïng

Synonyms for -ing

When Should You Use -ing?

Use -ing when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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