Binging or Bingeing? Which is the Correct One to Use?

The word “binge” refers to overindulgence by an individual in food, movies, or alcohol, usually for a short period. While there is no confusion with its use, the issue comes when you need to add the suffix “ing.” This has often raised a lot of issues, particularly among people keen on knowing the details of any little difference in their use of the word.

So, “binging” or “bingeing?” Which is the correct one to use becomes an important question. Let’s take a look at it.

When conjugating the verb binge, you can keep the letter “e” to create the word “bingeing.” Here, it functions as the progressive form of the word “binge.” Also, you can exclude the letter “e” to create the word “binging.” You can use both words interchangeably as they both convey the same meaning.

We bet you are wondering why. And, of course, why this difference exists if they mean the same thing. We have got you covered. In this post, we will dive further into their usage.

“Binging” and “Bingeing” were originally used to indicate the same thing- an overindulgence in a particular thing or action. Both words were acceptable by native speakers and were in common use.

Until today, English speakers still use the words at different points in their conversations, often to pass across the same information. Though “binge” is the root word, retaining the letter “e” when conjugating the word to connote a present situation became popular around 1980. Around this time, users of the words started getting comfortable with “Bingeing” as well as they did with “Binging.” This use continued till the late century when the difference in the spelling became more pronounced.

The reason for this noticeable difference may be due to the increasing campaign against drinking and eating disorders towards the end of the 20th century. At this time, there was a general awareness of binge-eating disorders, which is one of the most prominent eating disorders even till date.

Saying or writing “Binge-eating” during the years of the active campaign requires that the user retains the letter “e” to properly pass across the meaning, especially in written conversations.

Today, people use both words differently and, at the same time, to connote the same thing. Nonetheless, “Bingeing” is the more popular word- being in use roughly three times more than the word “Binging.”

When to and How to Properly Use “Binging”

The word “binging” comes from the root word “binge.” Generally, the root word “binge” means overindulging in some activities, prominently food and alcohol. However, in recent times, the word has extended to overindulging in movies. For instance, when people claim they binged on a series on Netflix. (I binged-watched an American crime series on Netflix last weekend with my siblings and cousins).

Now, binging represents the progressive form of the root word. In turn, it means to do something excessively.

So, you use the word when you want to convey that someone does something excessively and continuously. Now, this option is correct and applicable to all forms of English. So, it does not matter if you are writing in American, British, Canadian, or Australian English. It is okay to use the word “binging” in a sentence.

In fact, when it comes to actual usage, the word “binging” is a relatively popular choice among formal and informal writers. So, you can use it in a sentence without worries of being wrong. Great right?

Now, here are some examples of how the word “binging” fits into a sentence.

1. You should know that people who engage in repeated binging experience a wide range of health issues eventually. So, it would be best if you would avoid it.
2. Each time I go to the movies, I find myself binging on their popcorn even though I keep promising myself I would stop.
3. You will find people in most American homes binging on sweets and candy during Halloween. Do not be surprised if you do; it is an American tradition.
4. We all considered it good news when the fraternity banned binging on alcohol.

When to and How to Properly Use “Bingeing”

Now that we are clear on when to use the word “binging,” let us get to the next word. Precisely, let us closely consider when and how you should use “bingeing.”

However, before that, you need to know its meaning. Well, just like the first word, “binging,” when it comes to “bingeing,” it is also the progressive form of the word “binge.” As such, it involves excessive indulgence in an activity, usually alcohol, food, or movies.

Now, while it might have come as a surprise, both words mean the same thing. In turn, they have the same use. As such, you can use the word “bingeing” in every situation that you can use the word “binging.” Similarly, you can use the word “binging” in all circumstances that you can use “bingeing.”

Also, keep in mind that the use of variety “bingeing” has become quite popular in recent times. There is no direct reason. However, following the emergence of Bing, the search engine, it is easy to confuse going online using Bing with excessive indulgence if you were to see it in writing. So, just to avoid the confusion, everyone must have thought to just use “bingeing.” This seems to settle a lot of things, right?

So, there is no saying this is the reason. However, “bingeing” remains more popular today. So, you can use the bingeing variety without worries about being wrong. Denotatively, it means the same thing as “binging.”

We already have that cleared up. So, here are some examples where the bingeing variety works perfectly.

1. I found out that my boss hardly gets any job done all because he spends most of his work hours bingeing on Prison Break on Netflix.
2. We decided to celebrate Lent coming to an end by bingeing on fries and cheeseburgers till we could not take in more. Unfortunately, we all found ourselves purging the next day.
3. I read the research that established that people bingeing on alcohol find it difficult to get other things done or achieve much when it comes to work.
4. With December comes loads of social and cultural obligations. If you are looking to get out of this pressure and have some fun, bingeing various book series is a great idea.

Is There a Need to Remember the Difference?

Now that you know both words mean the same thing, you might still be curious. And that is whether there is a need to remember the difference. Well, there is technically no need to remember the difference between both words.

As we have explained so far in this post, they mean the same thing. Even more, you can use them interchangeably, and there would be no problem. So, use any of the words as you prefer within a sentence.

Still, remember that the “bingeing” alternative is the most popular option. So, if you want to follow suit with the popular option, then using “bingeing” is your best bet. Also, with “bingeing” comes more clarification. This is as we explained earlier that it avoids the confusion with the search engine Bing.

So, it would be a great idea to stick with “bingeing” if you want to avoid getting misunderstood. Cool right?

You can also remember that it is the variety bingeing by remembering that it is the longer word. So, it is better to use the longer word since it is more popular and more likely to avoid confusion.

Using Binge+Verb in Compound Phrases

One noticeable thing is that binge, which is the root word for “Bingeing,” is often used in compound phrases. This means you are more likely to come across a phrase with “Binge”+verb than you are to come across “bingeing” alone.

For example; Binge-watching, Binge-eating, Binge-reading etc. for reasons only few can explain, this variant has become popular.

Now let’s get back to the examples.

1. Unlike bingeing, binging has nothing to do with describing any kind of food disorder.
2. Vicky, a binge-eater, is not comfortable with her binging because she is ashamed of her uncontrolled habit.

So, in all fairness, it is more likely to find this variation of “binge” with a verb added nowadays than the words “binging” or “bingeing” alone. That is because usually, and the way that is most popular now, doesn’t necessarily refer to food but pretty much any repetitive action done excessively of something one might enjoy doing.

Final Thoughts

You might have been wondering, is it binging or bingeing? Which is the correct one to use? Well, guess what? You can use anyone that you prefer. This is because they both convey the same idea, and you can use them interchangeably. And, yes, that is regardless of your choice of the English language.

However, remember that bingeing is the more common option. Even more, it is less likely to result in confusion. So, you might want to use this variety more often.

Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.