A stinger is the sharp, pointed part of an insect's body that injects venom when the insect feels threatened. Bees, wasps, hornets, and scorpions all have stingers they use for defense. When a bee stings you, its stinger pierces your skin and releases a small amount of venom that causes pain and swelling. A honeybee's stinger has tiny barbs that catch in your skin, which is why the bee dies after stinging (the stinger tears away from its body). Wasps and hornets have smoother stingers, so they can sting multiple times.

The word also describes anything that delivers a sharp, sudden pain or surprise. A joke with a stinger has an unexpected twist at the end that catches you off guard. In movies and TV shows, a stinger is a brief scene that plays after the credits roll, often revealing a surprise or setting up what comes next. Cold wind can have a stinger to it, meaning it bites at your face and hands. Boxing commentators might say a fighter “landed a stinger,” meaning a punch that really hurt.

The common thread is surprise and impact: whether it's an insect's weapon or an unexpected twist, a stinger catches you when you're not ready for it.