sting

verb (HURT)

/stɪŋ/ (stung, stung)

Definition

1. Definition

2. Practise

› [I or T] If an insect, plant, or animal stings, it produces a small but painful injury, usually with a poison, by brushing against the skin or making a very small hole under the skin: Do all types of bee sting? I got stung by a wasp yesterday. I didn't see the nettles until I was stung by them.Animal and plant biology - general words › [I or T] to cause sharp but usually temporary pain: The soap/smoke/sweat stung my eyes. This type of disinfectant doesn't sting, even if you put it on a fresh cut.Pain and painful › [I or T] If someone's unkind remarks sting, they make you feel upset and annoyed: She knew he was right, but his words still stung. He was stung by her criticisms. She managed to give a stinging reply (= an angry answer intended to upset), before slamming down the phone.Making people sad, shocked and upset

(Definition of sting verb (HURT) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)