shag
8 synonyms for shag, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A tangled or shaggy mass of hair or fibres, or a thick, rough carpet pile.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Old English sceacga ("hair, wool"), related to "shake" and "shock".
Full origin of shag →Frequently asked questions
What does “shag” mean?
The word “shag” means a tangled or shaggy mass of hair or fibres, or a thick, rough carpet pile. In plain terms, rough, shaggy hair or fibre; a type of loose tobacco; a seabird; or, in crude British slang, to have sex.
How do you pronounce “shag”?
“Shag” is pronounced SHAG (/ˈʃæɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shag” in a sentence?
Here is “shag” used in a sentence: “The old lounge had a brown shag carpet from the seventies.”
What part of speech is “shag”?
Depending on how it is used, “shag” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shag” come from?
The word “shag” comes from Old English. From Old English sceacga ("hair, wool"), related to "shake" and "shock".
How many meanings does “shag” have?
“Shag” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tangled or shaggy mass of hair or fibres, or a thick, rough carpet pile.
Related words
shag-boy
