to move from side to side or up and down quickly and repeatedly, a person who makes jokes or witty remarks

a dog wagging its tail, wag one's tail, wag the beard

tail wagging the dog, wag one's tongue, wag the dog

Formal and Informal Expressions of wag

In different contexts, you can replace 'wag' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'oscillate, jester' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'jokester, wise guy' is a commonplace synonym.

wag: Explore its Definition & Usage

wag Definition

1to move from side to side or up and down quickly and repeatedly
2a person who makes jokes or witty remarks

Using wag: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "wag" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The dog's tail began to wag when he saw his owner.
Example
She wagged her finger at him in disapproval.
Example
He was known as the office wag for his humorous comments.
Example
The comedian was a master of the witty wag.

wag Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for wag

Antonyms for wag

Idioms Using wag

a dog wagging its tail
a sign of happiness or friendliness
Example
The dog greeted us with a wag of its tail.
wag one's tail
to be happy or excited
Example
The children were wagging their tails with excitement at the prospect of going to Disneyland.
wag the beard
to stroke one's beard while thinking or pondering something
Example
He sat there, wagging his beard, trying to come up with a solution to the problem.

Phrases with wag

tail wagging the dog
a situation where a small or unimportant part is controlling the whole
Example
The marketing department is supposed to support the sales team, but it seems like the tail is wagging the dog.
wag one's tongue
to talk excessively or gossip
Example
She's always wagging her tongue about other people's business.
wag the dog
to manipulate public opinion or divert attention from a political scandal by creating a crisis or conflict that distracts from the main issue
Example
The president was accused of trying to wag the dog by launching a military strike overseas to distract from his domestic problems.

Origins of wag

from Old Norse 'vagga', meaning 'to sway'

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Summary: wag in Brief

The term 'wag' [wæɡ] can be used as a verb to describe quick and repeated movements from side to side or up and down, as in 'The dog's tail began to wag when he saw his owner.' It can also refer to a person who makes jokes or witty remarks, as in 'He was known as the office wag for his humorous comments.' Phrases like 'tail wagging the dog' and idioms like 'a dog wagging its tail' are also common. 'Wag' can also be used as a noun to describe someone who makes jokes or witty remarks.