Wag - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Wag means to move something, especially a tail or finger, quickly from side to side or up and down. It often describes playful or excited movements, like a dog wagging its tail.
Definition:
To move rapidly side to side or up and down, often referring to a tail or finger.
Synonyms:
wave, wiggle, shake, flutter
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
still, freeze
Common Collocations:
wag its tail, wag a finger, wagging tongue
Derivatives:
wagger, waggingly
Usage Tips:
Use "wag" for quick back-and-forth movements; often describes tails or fingers in playful or scolding contexts.
Common Phrases:
the tail wags the dog, wag one's finger, tongue-wagging
Etymology:
Originated from Old English *wagian*, meaning to sway or shake; related to German *wackeln*.
Examples:
- 1. The dog began to wag its tail excitedly when it saw its owner.
- 2. She wagged her finger at the child for misbehaving in class.
- 3. His eyebrows would wag up and down as he told jokes to his friends.
- 4. The puppy's constant tail-wagging showed how happy it was to be outside playing fetch with us today!