sag

1 of 3

verb

ˈsag 

sagged; sagging

intransitive verb

1

: to droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness

2

a

: to lose firmness, resiliency, or vigor

spirits sagging from overwork

b

: to decline especially from a thriving state

3

: drift

4

: to fail to stimulate or retain interest

transitive verb

: to cause to sag : leave slack in

sag

2 of 3

noun

1

: a tendency to drift (as of a ship to leeward)

2

a

: a sagging part

the sag in a rope

b

: a drop or depression below the surrounding area

c

: an instance or amount of sagging

3

: a temporary decline (as in the price of a commodity)

SAG

3 of 3

abbreviation

ˈsag 

Screen Actors Guild

Synonyms of sag

Verb

• droop
• hang

Noun

• slack
• slackness
• droop
• hang

Examples of sag in a Sentence

Verb

The roof is sagging in the middle.

The economy began to sag.

As all our efforts failed, our spirits sagged.

Noun

if there's too much sag in the rod, the curtains will drag on the floor

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Beneath that sits a high-density support-foam foundation designed to limit sagging and compression over time, along with a textured anti-slip base to reduce movement on the bed frame. — New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026

Which is why her character flicks through YouTube plastic surgery videos and stares at older women on the bus, comparing her wrinkles and checking her neck for any signs of sagging. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

Press through your palms to straighten your arms without letting your hips sag. — Jakob Roze, HEALTH, 19 Aug. 2026

Maintain a straight, rigid line from your shoulders to your heels, actively engaging the deep abdominal wall without letting the lower back sag. — Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English saggen; akin to Middle Low German sacken to sink, Norwegian dialect sakka

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sag

• ag
• bag
• brag
• dag
• drag
• flag
• gag
• hag
• hagg
• lag
• mag
• nag

Kids Definition

sag

1 of 2 verb

ˈsag 

sagged; sagging

1

: to droop or sink below the normal or right level

2

: to become less firm or strong

saggy

ˈsag-ē

adjective

sag

2 of 2 noun

1

: a sagging part or area

the sag in a rope

2

: an instance or amount of sagging