agog

¹

[ uh-gog ]

adjective

1. highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, anticipation, etc.

   Synonyms: enthralled, awestruck

adverb

1. in a state of eager desire; excitedly.

-agog

²

1. variant of -agogue.

agog

/ əˈɡɒɡ /

adjective

1. postpositive highly impatient, eager, or curious

Word History and Origins

Origin of agog¹

First recorded in 1535–45; variant of on gog (in phrase set on gog “rouse, stir up”), from Middle French en gogues; à gogo

Word History and Origins

Origin of agog¹

C15: perhaps from Old French en gogues in merriments, origin unknown

Example Sentences

The encounter between the Merrimack and the Monitor had set the world agog on the matter of armored vessels.

From Project Gutenberg

The Hut was all agog with movement and bustle on the days when rations were being made up and packed.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps you don't know it, but the town is agog with what it is pleased to term your infatuation for Mrs. Brown.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile within the van der Griff house all were agog with excitement in expectation of the arrival of the distinguished guest.

From Project Gutenberg

He wondered, and as he had no respect for either the Old Man or Hinkel, he kept his ears agog for more.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use -agog

What does -agog mean?

The combining form -agog is used like a suffix meaning “leader” or “bringer.” In medical terms, it is used to name substances that cause the flow or the release of a substance. It is occasionally used in scientific and technical terms.

The form -agog comes from Greek -agōgos, meaning “leading.” The Latin cognate of this form is agēns, “doing” or “driving,” which is the source of words such as agent and agency. To learn more, check out our entries for both words.

The form -agog is a less-common variant of -agogue. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for -agogue.

Examples of -agog

An example of a word you may have encountered that features -agog is demagog, commonly spelled demagogue, “a person, especially a political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people.” Demagog comes from Greek dēmagōgós, which uses the equivalent form of -agog.

The dem- part of the word means “people,” from Greek dêmos, while -agog means “leader.” Demagog literally translates to “leader (of the) people.”

What are some words that use the equivalent of the combining form -agog in Greek?

• mystagogue
• pedagogue

What are some other forms that -agog may be commonly confused with?

• -age
• -algia

Not every word that ends with the exact letters -agog or -agogue, such as synagogue, is necessarily using the combining form to denote “leader.” Learn why synagogue means “temple” at our entry for the word.

Break it down!

The combining form hydr- means “water.” With this in mind, what does the medical term hydragogue mean?