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stagger Definition

stag·ger (stag′ər)

intransitive verb

  1. to move unsteadily, as though about to collapse; totter, sway, or reel, as from a blow, fatigue, drunkenness, etc.
  2. to lose determination, strength of purpose, etc.; hesitate; waver

Etymology: ME stakeren < ON stakra, to totter, intens. of staka, to push (for IE base see stake): akin to & prob. infl. in form by MDu staggeren

transitive verb

  1. to cause to stagger, as with a blow
  2. to affect strongly with astonishment, horror, grief, etc.; overwhelm
  3. to set, arrange, or incline alternately, as on either side of a line; make zigzag or alternating to stagger the teeth of a saw
  4. to arrange (periods of activity, duties, etc.) so as to avoid crowding to stagger employees' vacations
  5. Aeron. to set or arrange (airfoils, rotors, etc.) so that one is slightly ahead of another

noun

  1. the act of staggering, or reeling, tottering, etc.
  2. a staggered or zigzag arrangement
  3. any of several diseases or toxic conditions of horses, cattle, etc., characterized by a loss of coordination, and by staggering, falling, etc.: often with the

stagger Related Forms
stag′·gerer noun
stagger Synonyms

stagger

v.

totter, waver, vacillate; see reel.

stagger Usage Examples

Object

  • joint: Alway s stagger the end joints of adjacent rows by at least 30cm.
  • home: Johnson then staggered home, returning later with a gun with which he shot White dead.

Preposition: at

  • promise: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.

Preposition: through

  • door: The journey home was particularly uncomfortable and when I eventually staggered through the door of my home I was knackered.

Modifying Another Word

  • drunkenly: The rest of us stagger about drunkenly, spill things often and expend huge amounts of energy just staying in one place.
  • backward: As Beaker staggered backward, he dropped the ax and tried to pull the chicken body off his face.
  • back: Somehow I managed to stagger back into the bedroom.
  • slightly: Syd is staggering slightly as he makes for a nearby plastic chair but curiously, thereâs a sparkle in his eye.
  • finally: When they finally stagger out and their table is being cleaned, an empty Vodka bottle appears.
  • forward: He staggered forward like a drunk, guilt pulling him down like a physical weight.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • along: We walked the course, Stewart staggered along behind us, I don't think he stays 3 1/2 miles.
  • around: I remember staggering around with my group of friends, speaking very loudly in French to all who would listen.
  • off: From Ben [ Ben ] Oh yeah - I'm staggering off to bed.
  • out: Then I would stagger out to take a taxi to Heathrow airport.
  • over: Buck staggered over against the sled, exhausted, sobbing for breath, helpless.
  • on: They were uninjured, however; so he once more attempted to stagger on.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • down: A tramp staggers down the road with a bottle in his pocket.
  • off: But shall we ask people who stagger off trains at 6am or 7am to get to cleaning jobs?

Preposition: under

  • weight: You stagger backward under the tremendous weight and crash into the wall.

Preposition: from

  • crisis: For too long it has staggered from crisis to crisis under the constant threat of armed force.