sag

¹

[ sag ]

verb (used without object)

, sagged, sag·ging.

1. to sink or bend downward by weight or pressure, especially in the middle:

   The roof sags.

2. to hang down unevenly; droop:

   Her skirt was sagging.

3. to droop; hang loosely:

   His shoulders sagged.

4. to yield through weakness, lack of effort, or the like:

   Our spirits began to sag.

   Synonyms: weary, tire, flag, weaken

5. to decline, as in price:

   The stock market sagged today.

6. Nautical.
   1. (of a hull) to droop at the center or have excessive sheer because of structural weakness. Compare hog ( def 14 ).
   2. to be driven to leeward; to make too much leeway.

verb (used with object)

, sagged, sag·ging.

1. to cause to sag.

noun

1. an act or instance of sagging.
2. the degree of sagging.
3. a place where anything sags; depression.
4. a moderate decline in prices.
5. Nautical.
   1. deflection downward of a hull amidships, due to structural weakness.
   2. leeway ( def 3 ).

SAG

²

[ sag ]

noun

1. Screen Actors Guild.

sag

/ sæɡ /

verb

1. also tr to sink or cause to sink in parts, as under weight or pressure

   the bed sags in the middle

2. to fall in value

   prices sagged to a new low

3. to hang unevenly; droop
4. (of courage, spirits, etc) to weaken; flag

noun

1. the act or an instance of sagging

   a sag in profits

2. nautical the extent to which a vessel's keel sags at the centre Compare hog hogged
3. 1. a marshy depression in an area of glacial till, chiefly in the US Middle West
   2. ( as modifier )

      sag and swell topography

Other Words From

• anti·sag adjective
• un·sagging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sag¹

1375–1425; late Middle English saggen (v.), probably < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian sagga to move slowly (akin to Low German sacken to sink, Norwegian, Danish sakke, Swedish sacka, Icelandic sakka to slow up, fall behind)

Word History and Origins

Origin of sag¹

C15: from Scandinavian; compare Swedish sacka, Dutch zakken, Norwegian dialect sakka to subside, Danish sakke to lag behind

Example Sentences

Brody’s best awards year post-“Pianist” included Emmy and SAG nominations for playing illusionist Harry Houdini in the History Channel miniseries “Houdini” and a SAG ensemble nomination for frequent collaborator Wes Anderson’s film “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”

From Los Angeles Times

Come February, she’ll pick up yet another honor, becoming the 60th recipient of SAG-AFTRA’s highest tribute, the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievements and humanitarian accomplishments.

From Los Angeles Times

Justin Timberlake was humble and focused outside court Friday after pleading guilty to a reduced charge in his Sag Harbor DWI case.

From Los Angeles Times

Even if you weren’t in New York at the time, you may recall the national coverage of his 2010 “Stop the Sag” campaign, a $2,000-dollar effort that saw Adams upload videos and put up billboards across Brooklyn encouraging the city’s Black youth to forgo the often-tut-tutted practice of wearing jeans that sank below their waistline and revealed their underwear.

From Slate

Larson won the best actress prize at the Oscars, SAG Awards, Baftas and Golden Globes in 2016 for her performance in the film Room.

From BBC

Related Words

• cave in
• dip
• drop off
• fall off
• languish
• sink
• slide
• slip
• slump
• wilt