What does gonged mean?
Gonged is the past tense and past participle of gong, so it describes the striking or sounding of a gong or similar resonant object. It is often used for a clock, bell, or ceremonial instrument whose deep, carrying sound marks an event or announces the hour. “The clock gonged midnight” is a typical example: the verb focuses not merely on making a sound but on the distinctive resonance associated with metal gongs and large bells. Gonged is less common than the general synonym rang, but it gives a sentence a vivid auditory and often ceremonial atmosphere. In informal Australian and New Zealand English, gonged can also function as an adjective meaning exhausted or worn out, as in “The hikers were completely gonged.” This regional sense is separate from the regular past-tense verb form, although both ultimately draw on the strong image of being struck or overcome by a loud, resonant blow.
Struck or sounded a gong or similar resonant object.
"The temple bell gonged across the empty courtyard."
This is the ordinary past-tense and past-participle form of gong, attested in British and American English.
Exhausted or worn out.
"After the long climb, we were completely gonged."
This sense is informal and chiefly associated with Australian and New Zealand English.
A gong can mark midnight, summon a hall to attention, or reverberate through a valley long after the strike.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gonged come from?
The English noun gong was borrowed from Malay gung during the early modern period, although the ultimate origin of the Malay word is uncertain. The verb was subsequently formed from that borrowed noun, and gonged is its regular past tense and past participle. The informal regional adjective meaning exhausted is a later development, but its precise historical origin is not securely established.
Related word forms
How gonged is actually used
The verb form is relatively uncommon and often has a formal, descriptive, or narrative tone. The adjective meaning exhausted or worn out is chiefly associated with informal Australian and New Zealand English.