Etymology From Middle English stingen, from Old English stingan, from Proto-Germanic *stinganą. Compare Swedish and Icelandic stinga.
1
Ambitransitive To hurt, usually by introducing poison or a sharp point, or both.
2
Of an insect or arachnid To puncture with the stinger.
A mosquito stung me on the arm.
3
Figuratively, Sometimes To hurt, to be in pain (physically or emotionally).
My eyes are stinging from the chopped onions.
My hand stings after knocking on the door so long.
3 more examples
Still, it stung when a slightly older acquaintance asked me why I couldn't do any better.
But Birmingham were clearly stung by some harsh words from manager Alex McLeish at the break and within 15 minutes of the restart the game had an entirely different complexion.2011 January 11, Jonathan Stevenson, “West Ham 2 - 1 Birmingham”, in BBC:
While the absence of replayable story missions certainly stings for many fans, Halo Infinite’s campaign still has plenty to offer.2021 December 11, Julian Young, “Halo Infinite players will soon be able to replay campaign missions”, in Dexerto:
Etymology From Middle English styng, sting, stynge, stenge, from Old English sting, stincg (“a sting, stab, thrust made with a pointed instrument; the wound made by a stab or sting”), from Proto-Germanic *stingaz; possibly also from Old English stynġ, from Proto-Germanic *stungiz.
Look at this nasty hornet sting: it's turned blue!
2
A puncture made by an insect or arachnid in an attack, usually including the injection of venom.
She died from a bee sting.
3
A pointed portion of an insect or arachnid used for attack.
4
A sharp, localized pain primarily on the epidermis.
That plant will give a little sting if you touch it.
5
Biology, Botany, Natural sciences A sharp-pointed hollow hair seated on a gland which secretes an acrid fluid, as in nettles.
6
The thrust of a sting into the flesh; the act of stinging; a wound inflicted by stinging.
the lurking serpent's mortal stingc. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
7
Government, Law enforcement A police operation in which the police pretend to engage in criminal activity in order to catch a criminal.
The criminal gang was caught after a successful sting.
Shepard: I'm taking you in, Jax. Turian Bodyguard: It's a sting. Bastard set us up. Jax: What the hell are you playing at?2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Citadel:
8
A short percussive phrase played by a drummer to accent the punchline in a comedy show.
9
A brief sequence of music used in films, TV, and video games as a form of scenic punctuation or to identify the broadcasting station.
10
A support for a wind tunnel model which extends parallel to the air flow.
The balance is mounted externally on top of the wind tunnel test section. A sting connects the balance to the model.2001, T. J. Mueller, Fixed and Flapping Wing Aerodynamics for Micro Air Vehicle Applications, page 118:
11
Figuratively The harmful or painful part of something.
The ſting of death is ſinne, […]1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Corinthians 15:56, column 1:
Better is 20 R-R5, threatening 21 KR-R1. This action would compel exchanges and reduce the sting of Black's attack.1962 September, I. A. Horowitz, “Readers' Games”, in Chess Review:
1 more example
Just as it appeared Arsenal had taken the sting out of the tie, Johnson produced a moment of outrageous quality, thundering a bullet of a left foot shot out of the blue and into the top left-hand corner of Wojciech Szczesny's net with the Pole grasping at thin air.2011 January 19, Jonathan Stevenson, “Leeds 1 - 3 Arsenal”, in BBC:
12
A goad; incitement.
O most potential love! vow, bond, nor space, / In thee hath neither sting, knot, nor confine1609, William Shakespeare, “A Louers Complaint”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:
13
The concluding point of an epigram or other sarcastic saying.