stagger

1 of 3

verb

stag·​ger ˈsta-gər 

staggered; staggering ˈsta-g(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to reel from side to side : totter

b

: to move on unsteadily

staggered toward the door

2

: to waver in purpose or action : hesitate

3

: to rock violently

the ship staggered

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to doubt or hesitate : perplex

b

: shock or surprise greatly

The amount of money they've spent on this staggers me.

2

: to cause to reel or totter

3

: to arrange in any of various zigzags, alternations, or overlappings of position or time

stagger work shifts

stagger teeth on a cutter

staggerer

ˈsta-gər-ər 

noun

stagger

2 of 3

noun

1

staggers plural in form but singular or plural in construction : an abnormal condition of domestic animals associated with damage to the central nervous system and marked by incoordination and a reeling unsteady gait

2

: a reeling or unsteady gait or stance

3

: an arrangement in which the leading edge of the upper wing of a biplane is advanced over that of the lower

stagger

3 of 3

adjective

: marked by an alternating or overlapping pattern

Synonyms of stagger

Verb

• lurch
• totter
• weave
• stumble
• roll
• shuffle

Examples of stagger in a Sentence

Verb

She staggered over to the sofa.

A hard slap on the back staggered him.

It staggers me to see how much money they've spent on this project.

They staggered the runners' starting positions.

Noun

He walked with a slight stagger.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

However, data from Agence France Tresor shows that the average maturity of French debt stands at roughly 8 years and 158 days, with debt redemptions relatively well staggered. — CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

The decision to set that tone staggering through all 10 minutes of the extended cut might scan as raw inspiration, placing Spacemen 3 on a narrow band from La Monte Young and Terry Riley to some brilliant dro)))ne future. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

The vice mayor and commissioners already serve four-year terms, though their terms are staggered. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026

The Florida Gators staggered into Texas on Saturday looking like a punch-drunk prizefighter who had spent the previous two weeks getting his teeth knocked out, his nose rearranged and his dignity dragged through the mud. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of earlier stacker, from Middle English stakeren, from Old Norse stakra, frequentative of staka to push; perhaps akin to Old English staca stake — more at stake

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1918, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stagger

• agger
• bagger
• dagger
• swagger

Kids Definition

stagger

1 of 2 verb

stag·​ger ˈstag-ər 

staggered; staggering -(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side as if about to fall

2

a

: to begin to doubt and waver : become less confident

b

: to cause to doubt, waver, or hesitate : overwhelm

were staggered by the problems they had to face

3

: to place or arrange in a zigzag or alternate but regular way

staggerer

-ər-ər 

noun

stagger

2 of 2 noun

1

plural : an abnormal condition of domestic animals associated with damage to the central nervous system and marked by unsteady movements and falling

2

: a reeling or unsteady gait or stance