Wag — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈwag/

Meaning & Definition of Wag

Wag (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

Wag (noun)

  1. an act of wagging, shake
  2. wit, joker
  3. a young man, chap

Wag (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down

    "the dog gave its tail a single wag before it flopped back down"

    similar: swish, switch, waggle, whisk
    related: oscillation, rock, sway, swing, waver, flap, flutter, wave, whip, flick, jerk, jolt, snap, twitch, jiggle, shake, wiggle, bob, nod

  2. a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor

    "some wag wrote a droll satire on the scandal for the newspaper"

    similar: card, comedian, comic, droll, farceur, funnyman, gagger, gagman, gagster, humorist, jester, joker, jokester, wit
    related: comedienne, entertainer, banterer, cutup, kidder, knockabout, practical joker, prankster, quipper, quipster, teaser, wisecracker, buffoon, clown, fool, harlequin, zany, caricaturist, lampooner, parodist, satirist

Wag (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions

    "the cat's tail wagged back and forth in annoyance"

    similar: swish, switch, waggle
    related: oscillate, rock, sway, swing, waver, beat, flail, flap, flop, lash, whip, flick, flicker, flutter, wave, jerk, jolt, jig, jiggle, joggle, shake, twitch, wiggle, bob, jog, nod

  2. to relate sometimes questionable or secret information of a personal nature

    "tongues will wag as soon as word of the house's selling price gets around"

    similar: blab, dish, gossip, talk, tattle, spill the beans
    related: bandy (about), circulate, noise (about or abroad), rumor, blabber, disclose, divulge, reveal, tell, hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, let on, suggest, inform, report, snitch, squeal, tip (off), babble, spill, confide
    near: clam up, shut up

  3. to make short up-and-down movements

    "the bird's head wagged jerkily as it looked for worms"

    similar: bob, bobble, jog, jounce, nod, pump, seesaw
    related: jerk, jiggle, shake, wiggle, wobble, oscillate, rock, sway, swing, undulate, drop, duck

Related Entry: Chin-wag (noun)

Chin-wag is a different word from Wag. The synonyms below are for chin-wag, not for wag.

  1. friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this

    "a tireless practitioner of chin-wag, she makes every other talker seem a little taciturn"

    similar: backchat, cackle, causerie, chat, chatter, chin music, chitchat, confab, confabulation, gab, gabfest, gossip, jangle, jaw, natter (chiefly British), palaver, patter, rap, schmooze, small talk, table talk, talk, tête-à-tête
    related: colloquy, conference, discourse, parley, symposium, debate, dialogue, exchange, give-and-take, cross talk, happy talk, yak, yammer, yap

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Wag

The most common words with a similar meaning to Wag:

swish, switch, waggle, whisk, card, comedian, comic, droll, farceur, funnyman, gagger, gagman, gagster, humorist, jester, joker, jokester, wit, blab, dish, gossip, talk, tattle, bob, bobble, jog, jounce, nod, pump, seesaw, spill the beans

Related Words for Wag

oscillation, rock, sway, swing, waver, flap, flutter, wave, whip, flick, jerk, jolt, snap, twitch, jiggle, shake, wiggle, comedienne, entertainer, banterer, cutup, kidder, knockabout, practical joker, prankster, quipper, quipster, teaser, wisecracker, buffoon

Near Antonyms of Wag

clam up, shut up

Word Forms of Wag

Inflections: wagged, wagging

Derived words: wagger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Wag

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

First known use: 13th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Wag

chin-wag

Frequently Asked Questions about Wag

What does "Wag" mean?

"Wag" means to be in motion, stir. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to be in motion, stir. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Wag"?

Other words for "Wag" include swish, switch, waggle, whisk, card, comedian, comic and droll. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Wag" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Wag"?

There are 104 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Wag". Common alternatives include swish, switch, waggle, whisk, card, comedian, comic, droll, farceur and funnyman.

How do you use "Wag" in a sentence?

Examples of "Wag" in a sentence: "the dog gave its tail a single wag before it flopped back down"; "some wag wrote a droll satire on the scandal for the newspaper"; "the cat's tail wagged back and forth in annoyance".

Is "Wag" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Wag" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Wag"?

"Wag" is pronounced /ˈwag/.

What is the origin of the word "Wag"?

"Wag" comes from Middle English waggen; akin to Middle High German wacken to totter, Old English wegan to move way. First known use: 13th centuryi.

What is another word for "Wag" meaning "a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down"?

When "Wag" (noun) means a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down, synonyms include swish, switch, waggle and whisk.