stung

Everyday

1. Hurt by an insect, plant or animal that pushes a sharp point or poison into the skin: stung by a bee, a wasp, a nettle or a jellyfish. tree →
2. Felt a sharp, burning pain: the soap stung my eyes. tree →
3. Upset or hurt in your feelings by unkind words: stung by her comment. tree →

In the lessons

In first aid and outdoor safety, if you are stung by a bee, scrape the sting out sideways with a fingernail or card (do not squeeze), wash the area and use a cold pack. Wasps can sting more than once. Nettles and jellyfish also sting. Most stings hurt for a while, but if someone has swelling of the face, trouble breathing or feels faint, it is an allergic emergency — call for help. In stories, a character may be stung by mean words. Phrases: "got stung", "stung by a bee", "stung my eyes", "stung by criticism".

Examples

• I was stung by a wasp at the picnic. tree →
• The bee stung her on the arm. tree →
• My legs were stung by nettles. tree →
• The shampoo stung my eyes. tree →
• He was stung by a jellyfish at the beach. tree →
• She felt stung by the unkind joke. tree →
• Stay calm and still if a bee buzzes near you so you don't get stung. tree →
• After being stung, put something cold on it. tree →
• A BOY was stung by a Nettle. tree →

Note

Irregular verb: sting, stung, stung (not "stinged"). Myth: all bees die after stinging — only honeybees usually do, because their barbed sting gets stuck; bumblebees and wasps can sting again. Do not confuse "stung" with "strung" (from string).