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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.

wag

/wæɡ/ /wæɡ/

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!

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