adj
Uncommon
dragging
DRA-gihng
Dragging (adj) means slow-moving and tedious; feeling like it goes on too long. Example: “The meeting was long and dragging.”
adj
1
Slow-moving and tedious; feeling like it goes on too long.
"The meeting was long and dragging."
"The lecture felt dragging, and I kept glancing at the clock."
"It was a dragging afternoon with nothing to do and nowhere to go."
How to use dragging
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBoring and slow, in a way that feels drawn-out.
Common pairings
dragging pace
dragging on
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like dragging.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more dragging
- Superlative
- most dragging
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The meeting was long and _____.
Etymology
From drag + -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dragging
See all rhymes for dragging →Frequently asked questions
What does “dragging” mean?
The word “dragging” means slow-moving and tedious; feeling like it goes on too long. In plain terms, boring and slow, in a way that feels drawn-out.
How do you pronounce “dragging”?
“Dragging” is pronounced DRA-gihng (/ˈdɹæɡɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dragging” in a sentence?
Here is “dragging” used in a sentence: “The meeting was long and dragging.”
What part of speech is “dragging”?
“Dragging” is an adjective.
Is “dragging” a common word?
“Dragging” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between dragging and boring?
Dragging specifically describes something that feels slow-moving and tedious because it goes on too long, emphasizing the sense of time crawling. Boring is broader and describes anything that fails to hold interest, regardless of length.
What kinds of things are commonly described as dragging?
Dragging is commonly used for meetings, films, lectures, or stretches of time that feel drawn out and tedious, as in "the meeting was really dragging by the end."
Is dragging formal or informal?
Dragging in this sense is informal and conversational, typically used in everyday speech rather than formal writing.
