binge-watch
BINJ-woch
/ˈbɪndʒ wɒtʃ/
To watch multiple episodes of a television program or series in rapid succession.
Implies rapid, continuous consumption of episodic content, usually enabled by platform features like automated next-episode playback.
The story behind the word. 'Binge' entered English slang in the 1800s meaning 'to soak' or drink heavily. By the late 1990s, it combined with 'watch' as DVD box sets made back-to-back viewing convenient, before becoming mainstream around 2013 when streaming platforms dropped entire seasons at once.
Word relationships
- marathon: 'Marathon' can apply to any extended activity, whereas 'binge-watch' specifically denotes watching video content rapidly.
- ration: 'Ration' implies intentionally spacing out viewing over time.
Commonly confused with
- binge-eat: 'Binge-eat' refers to consuming food excessively, while 'binge-watch' refers to consuming video content.
Word family
- binge-watcher (noun): A person who habitually binge-watches television shows.
- binge-viewing (noun): The act or practice of watching video content in long sessions.
Collocations
- binge-watch a series
- binge-watch all weekend
- tendency to binge-watch
Idioms & expressions
- binge-worthy
Example sentences
- "When Netflix released the entire season at once, fans chose to binge-watch all ten episodes in a single weekend." Pop culture media analysis
- "Instead of going out on rainy afternoons, I prefer to binge-watch mystery documentaries from my couch." Casual conversation about weekend plans
Memory hook
Think of BINGEing on snacks while you WATCH continuous episodes without stopping. Watch episode after episode without stopping.
When not to use
Avoid in highly formal academic contexts unless explicitly analyzing media consumption habits.
Fun facts
- Collins English Dictionary named 'binge-watch' its Word of the Year in 2015.
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