stagger
STA-guh
Stagger (verb) means to walk unsteadily, as if about to fall. Example: “He staggered out of the bar and hailed a taxi.”
verb
1
To walk unsteadily, as if about to fall.
"He staggered out of the bar and hailed a taxi."
"She staggered to her feet after the fall."
2
To shock or astonish someone.
"The scale of the damage staggered even the experts."
3
To arrange events or times so they don't all happen at once.
"The office staggered shifts to reduce crowding."
noun
1
An unsteady, swaying walk.
"There was a slight stagger in his step after the long flight."
How to use stagger
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo walk unsteadily, to shock someone, or to spread things out over time.
Common pairings
staggering amount
stagger the shifts
stagger to one's feet
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Word forms
- Plural
- staggers
- Third person singular
- staggers
- Past tense
- staggered
Fill the gap
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He _____ out of the bar and hailed a taxi.
Etymology
From Old Norse stakra, meaning to push or totter.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for stagger
See all rhymes for stagger →Frequently asked questions
What does “stagger” mean?
The word “stagger” means to walk unsteadily, as if about to fall. In plain terms, to walk unsteadily, to shock someone, or to spread things out over time.
How do you pronounce “stagger”?
“Stagger” is pronounced STA-guh (/ˈstæɡɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stagger” in a sentence?
Here is “stagger” used in a sentence: “He staggered out of the bar and hailed a taxi.”
What part of speech is “stagger”?
Depending on how it is used, “stagger” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “stagger” come from?
The word “stagger” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse stakra, meaning to push or totter.
How many meanings does “stagger” have?
“Stagger” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to walk unsteadily, as if about to fall.
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