wag

1 of 3

verb

wagged; wagging

intransitive verb

1
: to be in motion : stir
2
: to move to and fro or up and down especially with quick jerky motions
3
: to move in chatter or gossip
scandal caused tongues to wag
4
archaic : depart
5
: waddle

transitive verb

1
: to swing to and fro or up and down especially with quick jerky motions : switch
a dog wagging its tail
specifically : to nod (the head) or shake (a finger) at (as in assent or mild reproof)
2
: to move (the tongue) animatedly in conversation
wagger noun

wag

2 of 3

noun (1)

: an act of wagging : shake

wag

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
: wit, joker
2
obsolete : a young man : chap

Examples of wag in a Sentence

Verb The dog wagged its tail. She wagged her finger at the children as she scolded them. He wagged his head back and forth. The dog's tail began to wag excitedly. Noun (1) the dog gave its tail a single wag before it flopped back down Noun (2) some wag wrote a droll satire on the scandal for the newspaper
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Kimmel pointed out that Trump’s director of communications was quick to put a spin on the campaign moment, which has tongues wagging about the candidate’s mental health and cognitive abilities. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Oct. 2024 Mary now greets her foster family with a wagging tail and accepts cuddles. Kelli Bender, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024
Noun
Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Younger fans who might not have been familiar with Mutombo’s NBA career (1991-2009) were introduced to his finger wag during a Geico car insurance ad that comically featured his blocks and taunts. David K. Li, NBC News, 30 Sep. 2024 Tail wags and sloppy kisses have been valuable tools for first responders and victims alike over the years thanks to the Puppies Behind Bars program. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wag 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wag.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English waggen; akin to Middle High German wacken to totter, Old English wegan to move — more at way

Noun (2)

probably short for obsolete English waghalter gallows bird, from English wag entry 1 + halter

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1589, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wag was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near wag

Cite this Entry

“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wag. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

wag

1 of 3 verb
wagged; wagging
: to move or swing to and fro or up and down especially with quick jerky movements
the dog wagged its tail
wagged his finger as he scolded
wagger noun

wag

2 of 3 noun
: a wagging movement

wag

3 of 3 noun
Etymology

Verb

Middle English waggen "to be in motion, move about"

Noun

probably a shortened form of obsolete waghalter "a person who should be hanged"

More from Merriam-Webster on wag

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