jag

¹ American  

[jag] / dʒæg /

noun

1. a sharp projection on an edge or surface.

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verb (used with object)

jagged, jagging

1. to cut or slash, especially in points or pendants along the edge; form notches, teeth, or ragged points in.

verb (used without object)

jagged, jagging

1. to move with a jerk; jog.

jag ² American  

[jag] / dʒæg /

noun

1. a period of unrestrained indulgence in an activity; spree; binge.

   a crying jag; a talking jag.

2. a state of intoxication from liquor.

3. Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S. a load, as of hay or wood.

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J.A.G. ³ American  

Or JAG

abbreviation

1. Judge Advocate General.

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jag ¹ British  

/ dʒæɡ /

verb

1. (tr) to cut unevenly; make jagged

2. to catch (fish) by impaling them on an unbaited hook

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noun

1. an informal word for jab jab

noun

1. a jagged notch or projection

jag ² British  

/ dʒæɡ /

noun

1. 1. intoxication from drugs or alcohol

   2. a bout of drinking or drug taking

2. a period of uncontrolled activity

   a crying jag

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Jag ³ British  

/ dʒæɡ /

noun

1. informal a Jaguar car: often understood as a symbol of affluence

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JAG ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. Judge Advocate General

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Other Word Forms

• jagless adjective

Etymology

Origin of jag¹

1350–1400; late Middle English jagge (noun), jaggen (v.), of obscure origin

Origin of jag²

1590–1600; perhaps originally load of broom or furze (compare Old English ceacga broom, furze)

Example Sentences

When hurling down the ball with a wobbling seam rather than looking to hoop it, some deliveries jag unpredictably off the surface after pitching.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2026

Or has he been on a crying jag?

From Slate • Aug. 24, 2023

What Cronenberg has done instead is to concoct a hallucinatory jag about the tortuous process Burroughs went through in creating “Naked Lunch.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2023

Here’s another one for the “Kendall can’t stand to see his family get bullied” file: When Mencken makes fun of Roman’s crying jag, Kendall immediately shuts that joke down.

From New York Times • May 21, 2023

This was going to be the start of a real crying jag, I had the feeling, for a girl whose only hopes for the year were a sweet-sixteen party and a pink mohair twin set.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver