verb
Uncommon
lag
LAG
Lag (verb) means to fall behind or fail to keep pace with something else. Example: “Sales in the region began to lag behind the rest of the country.”
verb
1
To fall behind or fail to keep pace with something else.
"Sales in the region began to lag behind the rest of the country."
"He lagged behind the group on the last stretch of the hike."
"Our team began to lag as the other runners pulled ahead."
noun
1
A delay between one event and another, especially in a signal, response, or process.
"There was a noticeable lag between clicking the button and the page loading."
"Jet lag left her exhausted for days after the flight."
"Slow internet causes a lag in the video call, so we keep talking over each other."
How to use lag
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo fall behind, or the delay/gap created when something falls behind.
Common pairings
lag behind
time lag
jet lag
network lag
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- lags
- Past tense
- lagged
- Comparative
- more LAG
- Superlative
- most LAG
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Sales in the region began to _____ behind the rest of the country.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, possibly from an old North Germanic word meaning "slow" or "late".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for lag
See all rhymes for lag →Frequently asked questions
What does “lag” mean?
The word “lag” means to fall behind or fail to keep pace with something else. In plain terms, to fall behind, or the delay/gap created when something falls behind.
How do you pronounce “lag”?
“Lag” is pronounced LAG (/ˈlæɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lag” in a sentence?
Here is “lag” used in a sentence: “Sales in the region began to lag behind the rest of the country.”
What is the opposite of “lag”?
The opposite of “lag” — its antonyms — is TAG.
What part of speech is “lag”?
Depending on how it is used, “lag” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “lag” come from?
The word “lag” comes from Germanic. Origin uncertain, possibly from an old North Germanic word meaning "slow" or "late".
Is “lag” a common word?
“Lag” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lag” have?
“Lag” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to fall behind or fail to keep pace with something else.
What is the difference between "lag" and "delay"?
"Lag" and "delay" both describe a gap in time, but "lag" specifically emphasizes falling behind an expected pace, while "delay" more broadly means something is postponed or slowed down.
What does "lag" mean in gaming or internet contexts?
In gaming or online use, "lag" refers to a noticeable delay between an action, like pressing a button, and the response appearing on screen, usually caused by a slow connection or processing speed.
What is the difference between "lag" as a verb and as a noun?
As a verb, "lag" means to fall behind or fail to keep pace with something else; as a noun, it refers to the delay itself between one event and another.
What does it mean when a project is described as "lagging behind"?
When a project is "lagging behind," it means it has fallen behind its expected schedule or pace compared to what was planned.
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