tug
tuhg
Tug (verb) means to pull at something with a sharp or sustained effort. Example: “The toddler tugged at her mother's sleeve, wanting attention.”
verb
1
To pull at something with a sharp or sustained effort.
"The toddler tugged at her mother's sleeve, wanting attention."
"He tugged on the rope to make sure the knot would hold."
noun
1
A sudden, forceful pull.
"She felt a tug on the fishing line and reeled it in."
2
Short for tugboat.
"A tug guided the tanker carefully into the harbour."
How to use tug
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pull, often sharply or repeatedly.
Common pairings
tug of war
tug at
give a tug
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Word forms
- Plural
- tugs
- Third person singular
- tugs
- Past tense
- tugged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She felt a _____ on the fishing line and reeled it in.
Etymology
From Old English togian ("to drag, draw"), related to "tow" and going back to an ancient root meaning "to pull."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “tug” mean?
The word “tug” means to pull at something with a sharp or sustained effort. In plain terms, to pull, often sharply or repeatedly.
How do you pronounce “tug”?
“Tug” is pronounced tuhg (/tʌɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tug” in a sentence?
Here is “tug” used in a sentence: “The toddler tugged at her mother's sleeve, wanting attention.”
What part of speech is “tug”?
Depending on how it is used, “tug” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tug” come from?
The word “tug” comes from Old English. From Old English togian ("to drag, draw"), related to "tow" and going back to an ancient root meaning "to pull.".
Is “tug” a common word?
“Tug” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tug” have?
“Tug” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to pull at something with a sharp or sustained effort.
