wag

1 of 4

verb

ˈwag 

wagged; wagging

intransitive 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

scandal caused tongues to wag

4

archaic : depart

5

: waddle

transitive verb

1

: to swing to and fro or up and down especially with quick jerky motions : switch

a dog wagging its tail

specifically : to nod (the head) or shake (a finger) at (as in assent or mild reproof)

2

: to move (the tongue) animatedly in conversation

wagger noun

wag

2 of 4

noun (1)

: an act of wagging : shake

wag

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

: wit, joker

2

obsolete : a young man : chap

wagger

4 of 4

noun (3)

wag·​ger

ˈwagə(r)

plural -s

: one that wags

Synonyms of wag

Verb

• flap
• flick
• twitch
• bob
• swing
• waggle
• switch
• swish

Noun (1)

• flap
• flick
• twitch
• waggle
• switch
• swish
• wave
• flutter
• whisk

Noun (2)

• comedian
• droll

Examples of wag in a Sentence

Verb

The dog wagged its tail.

She wagged her finger at the children as she scolded them.

He wagged his head back and forth.

The dog's tail began to wag excitedly.

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

From the creators of DreamWorks Animation’s hit series Gabby’s Dollhouse, Doozie’s Doghouse is a mixed-media companion series that continues the fun with tail-wagging surprises, woof-tastic unboxings, and imaginative play. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Some deer wag more than others, and whitetails will swish more at different times of year—for example, in summer and into early bow season, when pesky bugs hover. — Tom Carpenter, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026

Noun

The Twitch Like wags or swishes, occasional sharp twitches of the tail are no cause for alarm for you, the hunter. — Tom Carpenter, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026

Ever since the infamous finger-wag at LSU, Clark has dominated Angel Reese. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun (2)

probably short for obsolete English waghalter gallows bird, from English wag entry 1 + halter

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1589, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing wag

• chin-wag
• wag the dog

Rhymes for wag

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

Kids Definition

wag

1 of 3 verb

ˈwag 

wagged; wagging

: to move or swing to and fro or up and down especially with quick jerky movements

the dog wagged its tail

wagged his finger as he scolded

wagger noun

wag

2 of 3 noun

: a wagging movement

wag

3 of 3 noun

: joker sense 1, wit

Etymology

Verb

Middle English waggen "to be in motion, move about"

Noun

probably a shortened form of obsolete waghalter "a person who should be hanged"