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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

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

stagger Synonyms

stagger

v.

totter, waver, vacillate; see reel.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

stagger Usage Examples

Object

  • joint: Alway s stagger the end joints of adjacent rows by at least 30cm.

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.

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.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • down: A tramp staggers down the road with a bottle in his pocket.

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.
stagger usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"stagger." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/stagger>

APA Style

stagger. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/stagger

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