wag
wag¹
Definition
wag (wag)
transitive verb wagged, wag′·ging
- to cause (something fastened or held at one end) to move rapidly and repeatedly back and forth, from side to side, or up and down the dog wagged his tail
- to shake (a finger) or nod (the head), as in summoning, reproving, etc.
- to move (the tongue) in talking, esp. in idle or malicious gossip
Etymology: ME waggen, prob. < ON vaga, to move back and forth, rock, akin to OE wagian, to shake, totter < IE base *weĝh-, to move > L vehere, to carry
intransitive verb
- to move rapidly and repeatedly back and forth, from side to side, or up and down: said as of a part of the body
- to keep moving in talk, esp. in idle or malicious gossip: said of the tongue
- to walk or move with a swaying motion; waddle
noun
the act or an instance of wagging
wag′·ger noun
wag²
Definition
wag (wag)
wag
Synonyms
wag
Synonyms
wag
v.
wag
Usage Examples
Object
- tail: How long, I wonder, before Time Out ' s new online listings graduate from being a wagging tail to the dog itself?
- finger: A guard approaches with wagging finger: " One of you has taken a photo.
- tongue: The article continued " one day that wagging tongue will lead him into trouble with a capital ' T ' " .
- dog: Tories are the tail wagging the dog here, he said.
Converse of object
- use: Geoff Mawby made up the frame with 9lb 10oz off peg 37 using the wag and mag.
- have: MSN Messenger allows you to have a good old chin wag in real time - with friends, family or colleagues.
- let: Let the dog wag the tail, for once!
- do: Mr Arabin's beard did not wag as it should have done.
Adjective modifier
- tail: A last question - can the tail wag the dog?
- local: A local wag might even compose a poem or song about it, possibly comparing the enemy to a full moon.
- good: Under 4: are the only few years you can invite a few of your own friends for a good old chin wag.
- old: Under 4: are the only few years you can invite a few of your own friends for a good old chin wag.
Modifying Another Word
- n't: If the structures restrict the number of ordained people then we have to ask whether the denominational tail is n't wagging the gospel dog!
- not: To coin a well-used phrase, 'the tail should not wag the dog ' .
Noun used with modifier
- chin: Under 4: are the only few years you can invite a few of your own friends for a good old chin wag.
- tail: The old adage ' never let the tax tail wag the commercial dog ' is certainly worth bearing in mind.
- dog: Let the dog wag the tail, for once!
- tongue: Once he had heard her tongue wag, she made sure of the result.
- world: The world wags on, a rose will bloom... .
Preposition: of
- tail: And even if you don't quite, a cheerful greeting and a wag of the tail will make sure you get on well.
wag Quotes
We know that the tail must wag the dog, for the horse is drawn by the cart; But the Devil whoops, as he whooped of old: 'It's clever, but is it Art?'
Browse dictionary entries near wag
- wage
- wage earner
- wage-push inflation
- wage scale
- wager
- wageworker
- waggery
- waggish
- waggle
- waggon
