dag
Dag (noun) means a ragged, pointed strip hanging from the edge of a piece of clothing, or a clump of matted wool and dirt on a sheep. Example: “The farmer clipped the dags from around the sheep's hindquarters before shearing.”
How to use dag
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly heard in Australian/New Zealand slang for a goofy, unfashionable person, though its original farming sense (matted sheep's wool) is still used too.
The person sense is informal and largely confined to Australian and New Zealand English.
Word forms
dagged past tense, dagged past tense, dagged past tense, dags plural, dags plural, dags plural, dags plural, dags plural, dags singular, dags singular, dags singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer clipped the _____ from around the sheep's hindquarters before shearing.
Etymology
From Middle English dagge, of likely Germanic origin, originally referring to a hanging shred of cloth.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “dag” mean?
The word “dag” means a ragged, pointed strip hanging from the edge of a piece of clothing, or a clump of matted wool and dirt on a sheep. In plain terms, mostly heard in Australian/New Zealand slang for a goofy, unfashionable person, though its original farming sense (matted sheep's wool) is still used too.
How do you pronounce “dag”?
“Dag” is pronounced dag (/dæɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dag” in a sentence?
Here is “dag” used in a sentence: “The farmer clipped the dags from around the sheep's hindquarters before shearing.”
What is another word for “dag”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dag” include daglock, taglock, dagging, dung tag, dirtball and scruffbag.
What part of speech is “dag”?
Depending on how it is used, “dag” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dag” come from?
The word “dag” comes from Middle English. From Middle English dagge, of likely Germanic origin, originally referring to a hanging shred of cloth.
How many meanings does “dag” have?
“Dag” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a ragged, pointed strip hanging from the edge of a piece of clothing, or a clump of matted wool and dirt on a sheep.