wagging
ˈwægɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of wagging - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

movementside-to-side movement made repeatedly by a body part or object
  • The dog's constant wagging showed how excited he was.
cabinet showcase

Adjective

1.
movementmoving from side to side
  • The dog had a wagging tail.
swaying swinging
2.
motionconstantly in motion
  • She had a wagging finger while scolding.
moving shaking twitching
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Expressions with wagging

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people are spreading rumors or secret information quickly
Tongues were wagging about the celebrity's secret wedding.
minor part controlling the main part
The committee's decision was a case of the tail wagging the dog.
cause people to gossip or talk a lot about something
The news will get tongues wagging in the whole town.
cause people to gossip or talk a lot about something
The news set the tongues wagging in the small town.
cause people to gossip or talk eagerly about something
Her sudden resignation set tongues wagging in the office.
talks a lot, often spreading gossip
Her tongue never stops wagging about the latest office drama.

Origin of wagging

Old English, wagian (to sway)

Terms with wagging included in their meaning

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movement
in a wagging manner

Examples of wagging in a sentence

  • The wagging of the loose signpost in the wind made a rattling sound.
  • The flag was wagging in the wind.
  • Her wagging finger showed her disapproval.
  • The dog's wagging tail showed its excitement.
  • His wagging tongue got him into trouble.

View all translations of wagging

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:remuement, remuant, ...
  2. German:Wackeln, wedelnd, ...
  3. Italian:scodinzolio, scodinzolante, ...
  4. Spanish:meneo, meneado, ...
  5. Portuguese:abanar, abanando, ...
  6. Chinese:摇摆, 摇摆的, ...
  7. Japanese:尻尾振り, 振られた, ...
  8. Arabic:هَزّ, مُتَذَبْذِب, ...
  9. Hebrew:כִּשְׁכּוּשׁ, מְכַשְכֵּשׁ, ...
  10. Russian:виляние, махал, ...
  11. Ukrainian:махання, махати, ...
  12. Hindi:हिलाना, हिलता हुआ, ...
wag
wæɡ
wagged

Definition of wag - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
movementmovement from side to side
  • The dog's wag of its tail showed happiness..
sway swing
2.
humorous personDatedUKwitty person who makes jokesDatedUK
  • He's known as the wag of the group.
jester joker wit

Verb

1.
tail movementtr./intr.move rapidly from side to sidetr./intr.
  • The happy dog wagged its tail excitedly..
shake waggle
2.
gesturetr.shake a finger side to side in disapprovaltr.
  • She wagged her finger at the naughty child.
shake waggle wave
3.
truancyintr.UKskip school without permissionintr.UK
  • They decided to wag school and go to the beach.
bunk off play truant skip
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Expressions with wag

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
move a finger side to side to show disapproval
She wag a finger at him for being rude.
used to say people will gossip about a person or event
If they see us leave together, tongues will wag.
move head side to side to show disapproval
She wagged her head at the bad news.
talk a lot, especially gossip or idle chatter
She loves to wag her tongue about her neighbors.
divert attention from a major issue
The government tried to wag the dog with a new policy.
move a finger side to side to show disapproval or warning
She wagged her finger at him for being late.

Origin of wag

Middle English, waggen (to move with a shaking motion)

Examples of wag in a sentence

  • His wag of the finger indicated disapproval.
  • The wag kept everyone entertained at the party.
  • As a wag, he always had a clever remark ready.
  • The puppy's tail wagged furiously when it saw its owner.
  • The dog's tail wagged at the sight of food.
  • The teacher wagged her finger at the students for talking.

View all translations of wag

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:remuement, remuer, ...
  2. German:Wedeln, wedeln, ...
  3. Italian:movimento, agitare, ...
  4. Spanish:meneo, mover, ...
  5. Portuguese:abanada, abanar, ...
  6. Chinese:摇摆, 摇手指, ...
  7. Japanese:振り, 振る, ...
  8. Arabic:اهْتِزَاز, هَزَّ, ...
  9. Hebrew:כִּשְׁכּוּשׁ, לְכַשְׁכֵּשׁ, ...
  10. Russian:виляние, махать, ...
  11. Ukrainian:помах, махати, ...
  12. Hindi:हिलाहट, हिलाना, ...
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