shag

1 of 7

noun (1)

ˈshag 

1

a

: a shaggy tangled mass or covering (as of hair)

b

: long coarse or matted fiber, nap, or pile

c

: a layered haircut of uneven length

2

: tobacco cut into fine shreds

3

: any of various waterbirds related to the cormorants

also : cormorant sense 1

shag

2 of 7

adjective

: shaggy

shag

3 of 7

verb (1)

shagged; shagging

intransitive verb

: to fall or hang in shaggy masses

transitive verb

: to make rough or shaggy

shag

4 of 7

verb (2)

shagged; shagging

transitive verb

chiefly British, informal + usually vulgar

: to have sexual intercourse with

shag

5 of 7

verb (3)

shagged; shagging

transitive verb

1

a

: to chase after

especially : to chase after and return (a ball) hit usually out of play

b

: to catch (a fly) in baseball practice

2

: to chase away

shag

6 of 7

verb (4)

shagged; shagging

intransitive verb

1

: to move or lope along

2

: to dance the shag

shag

7 of 7

noun (2)

: any of various dances of the southern U.S. that employ lively footwork with a minimum of upper-body motion

Examples of shag in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Larry Bowa still remembers the two kids, sons of Philadelphia Phillies catcher Bob Boone, shagging fly balls in the outfield at the old Veterans Stadium. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 20 May 2025

Iglesias said shagged in the outfield the last few days in case he’d be needed. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025

This spring, India shagged fly balls in batting practice and worked long hours with the fielding machines in Surprise, Arizona. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2025

He’s gone on a reality show to share his life, a big part of which is shagging. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025

She's been a part of silly shenanigans, shagged assorted suitors – most notably Colin Firth's stoically upper-crust Mark Darcy and Hugh Grant's womanizing Daniel Cleaver – but in the end always maintaining a strong sense of self-worth. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025

Amy Jade Winehouse could have been any young woman growing up in 1990s London — palling around with her mates, sneaking lagers, shagging dudes, getting into trouble, getting her nose pierced, and getting expelled from drama school for it. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2024

From washable options to shag rugs, these will transform your sleeping space. —Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2024

Sarah shagged balls in practice for those teams and watched games attentively from the stands, nurturing an appreciation for the sport. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 15 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English *shagge, from Old English sceacga; akin to Old Norse skegg beard, skaga to project

Verb (2)

earlier argot, probably ultimately from Middle English shoggen, shaggen to shake — more at shog

Verb (3)

origin unknown

Verb (4)

variant of shog

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1596, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

1788, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (4)

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1932, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shag

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

Kids Definition

shag

1 of 2 noun

ˈshag 

1

a

: a shaggy tangled mass or covering

b

: a rug or carpeting with long yarns that do not stand up

2

: a strong coarse tobacco cut into fine shreds

shag

2 of 2 verb

shagged; shagging

1

: to chase after and return a ball

2

: to catch a ball