Dictionary
Thesaurus
Medical
Scrabble®
Spanish Central
Browse DictionaryBrowse Thesaurus
Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android
Games
Word of the Day
Video
Blog: Words at Play
My Faves
Dictionary

1gag

verb \ˈgag\

: to put something (such as a piece of cloth) into or over a person's mouth in order to prevent that person from speaking, calling for help, etc.

: to prevent (someone) from speaking freely or expressing opinions

: to vomit or feel as if you are about to vomit : to feel as if what is in your stomach is going to come up into your mouth

gaggedgag·ging

Full Definition of GAG

transitive verb
1
a :  to restrict use of the mouth of by inserting a gag
b :  to prevent from exercising freedom of speech or expression
c :  to pry or hold open with a gag
2
:  to provide or write quips or pranks for <gag a show>
3
:  to choke or cause to retch
intransitive verb
1
a :  choke; also :  to suffer a throat spasm that makes swallowing or breathing difficult
b :  retch
2
:  to be unable to endure something :  balk
3
:  to make quips
— gag·ger noun
See gag defined for English-language learners
See gag defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of GAG

Middle English gaggen to strangle, of imitative origin
First Known Use: 1509

Related to GAG

Synonyms
barf, vomit, heave, hurl, puke, retch, spew, spit up, throw up, upchuck

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

Rhymes with GAG

ag, bag, brag, crag, dag, drag, fag, flag, hag, jag, lag, mag, nag, quag, rag, sag, scag, scrag, shag, slag, snag, sprag, stag, swag, tag, wag, YAG, zag

2gag

noun

: something said or done to make people laugh

: something done as a playful trick

: something (such as a piece of cloth) that is put into or over someone's mouth in order to prevent speech

Full Definition of GAG

1
:  something thrust into the mouth to keep it open or to prevent speech or outcry
2
:  an official check or restraint on debate or free speech <a gag rule>
3
:  a laugh-provoking remark or act
4
:  prank, trick
See gag defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of GAG

1530

Related to GAG

Synonyms
boff (or boffo), boffola, crack, drollery, funny, joke, giggle [chiefly British], jape, jest, josh, laugh, nifty, one-liner, pleasantry, quip, rib, sally, waggery, wisecrack, witticism, yuk (or yuck also yak or yock) [slang]

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany
GAG Defined for Kids

1gag

verb \ˈgag\
gaggedgag·ging

Definition of GAG for Kids

1
:  to stop from speaking or crying out by or as if by covering or blocking the mouth
2
:  to vomit or feel like vomiting <The horrible smell almost made me gag.>
3
:  choke 2 <He gagged on his hot dog.>

2gag

noun

Definition of GAG for Kids

1
:  something covering or blocking the mouth especially to prevent speaking or crying out
2
:  something said or done to make other people laugh

Learn More About GAG

Browse

8 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. gag
  2. gag law
  3. gag line
  4. gag order
  5. gag rein
  6. gag resolution
  7. gag rule
  8. sight gag
Next Word in the Dictionary: gagaPrevious Word in the Dictionary: gaff–topsail catfishAll Words Near: gag
ADVERTISEMENT
10 Charming Words for Nasty People
Put-downs with flair
Learn More
When "Literally" isn't, well, literal
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Watch Now
Know what this is?
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Go Play
Fear of cats?
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears
Learn More
Join Us
Merriam-Webster
on Facebook
Merriam-Webster
on Twitter
Bookstore: Digital and Print
Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.
See All
Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries