to wag

Examples

• All

• Well, all tails wag when they're happy, right?

• But all Sandy paid any attention to was people, his tail wagging all the time.

  Academic text (2007)

• The dog is still wagging his tail.

  Mars (2024)

• As he passes the dog, it turns and runs after him, wagging its tail, happy to be leaving.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I'm finished wagging my tail and leaving little puddles on the floor.

  Man Trouble (1992)

• Leoncico looks up, wags his tail, and lies down, his face smiling into the heat.

  Academic text (2007)

• When he started walking, a pack of dogs appeared at the crest, wagging their tails and barking.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Just because the tail isn't up and frantically wagging does not mean that they're not happy.

  Will Atherton Canine Training

• Leoncico patters over, wagging his tail, his great wrinkled head bearded with drool.

  Academic text (2007)

• The dog ran around the yard, wagging its tail excitedly.

Synonyms

W

to wiggle

vsto wag

89 1.0

To move with small, quick movements from side to side or up and down

is rapid and not limited to tiny movements

S

to sway

vsto wag

77 2.4

To move slowly from side to side in a gentle rhythm

is rapid side to side or up and down movement rather than slow rhythm

J

to jiggle

vsto wag

46 3.2

To move something in short, quick shaking movements

is quicker and often lasts longer than short bursts

W

to wobble

vsto wag

40 3.8

To move or shake unsteadily from side to side

is rapid and regular repeated motion rather than unsteady irregular movement

W

to waggle

vsto wag

7 4.5

To move something repeatedly from side to side or up and down

is rapid and typically repeated rather than slower movement

S

to shimmy

vsto wag

1 7.4

To shake slightly with quick movements

is faster and more forceful repeated movement rather than slight trembling

B

to bobble

vsto wag

1 3.7

To move up and down quickly and lightly many times

is rapid movement that also includes side to side motion

V

to vacillate

vsto wag

1 8.4

To move slowly back and forth like a boat or kite

is a quick repeated lateral or vertical movement rather than slow waves

J

to joggle

vsto wag

7.7

To move something lightly and repeatedly so it shakes

is faster and stronger movement rather than a light shake

W

to wabble

vsto wag

8.9

To move unsteadily from side to side

is a rapid repeated action not a shaky irregular motion

Antonyms

S

stop

310 1.0

An act when something ends or pauses

Idioms

W

to wag the dog

• Literature

1 8.8

Make people focus on something less important to hide a bigger problem

P

to play the wag

• UK

9.9

Pretend to be ill to avoid going to work or school

Phrasal Verbs

W

to wag a finger

1 5.3

To move your finger side to side to show you are not pleased

Compounds

C

chin-wag

• Slang

1 8.4

A friendly relaxed chat between people, often over coffee

C

chin wag

• UK

8.2

A friendly informal chat between people who know each other

How Vigorously

to thrash

24 5.8

to shake

916 1.0

to flap

54 1.4

to wag

32 1.4

to twitch

66 2.8

flick

24 3.0

Surface Forms

Etymology