gad

1
[ gad ]
See synonyms for gad on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),gad·ded, gad·ding.
  1. to move restlessly or aimlessly from one place to another: to gad about.

noun
  1. the act of gadding.

Origin of gad

1
1425–75; late Middle English gadden, perhaps back formation from gadeling companion in arms, fellow (in 16th century, vagabond, wanderer), Old English gædeling, derivative of gæd fellowship; see gather, -ling1

Other words from gad

  • gadder, noun
  • gad·ding·ly, adverb

Other definitions for gad (2 of 4)

gad2
[ gad ]

noun
  1. a goad for driving cattle.

  2. a pointed mining tool for breaking up rock, coal, etc.

Origin of gad

2
1175–1225; Middle English <Old Norse gaddr spike; cognate with Gothic gazds

Other definitions for Gad (3 of 4)

Gad1

or gad

[ gad ]

interjection
  1. (used as a mild oath.)

Origin of Gad

3
First recorded in 1600–10; euphemism for God

Other definitions for Gad (4 of 4)

Gad2
[ gad ]

noun
  1. a son of Zilpah. Genesis 30:11.

  2. one of the twelve tribes of Israel, traditionally descended from him.

  1. a Hebrew prophet and chronicler of the court of David. 2 Samuel 24:11–19.

Origin of Gad

4
From Late Latin, from Greek Gád, from Hebrew Gādh “(good) luck”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use gad in a sentence

  • Other instances are to be found where the billets are termed delves or gads.

    A Complete Guide to Heraldry | Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
  • Although she gads about so much, she doesnt neglect her household duties.

    The Celebrity at Home | Violet Hunt
  • Instead of sticking to his job, he gads about on the Prospect and plays cards.

    The Inspector-General | Nicolay Gogol
  • May-gads are white willow wands, peeled, and dressed with cowslips.

    Miscellanea | Juliana Horatia Ewing
  • One side used as a hammer is called the poll, and is employed to drive in the gads, or to loosen and detach prominences.

British Dictionary definitions for gad (1 of 4)

gad1

/ (ɡæd) /


verbgads, gadding or gadded
  1. (intr; often foll by about or around) to go out in search of pleasure, esp in an aimless manner; gallivant

noun
  1. carefree adventure (esp in the phrase on or upon the gad)

Origin of gad

1
C15: back formation from obsolete gadling companion, from Old English, from gæd fellowship; related to Old High German gatuling

Derived forms of gad

  • gadder, noun

British Dictionary definitions for gad (2 of 4)

gad2

/ (ɡæd) /


noun
  1. mining a short chisel-like instrument for breaking rock or coal from the face

  2. a goad for driving cattle

  1. a western US word for spur (def. 1)

verbgads, gadding or gadded
  1. (tr) mining to break up or loosen with a gad

Origin of gad

2
C13: from Old Norse gaddr spike; related to Old High German gart, Gothic gazds spike

British Dictionary definitions for Gad (3 of 4)

Gad1

/ (ɡæd) /


noun, interjection
  1. an archaic euphemism for God by Gad!

British Dictionary definitions for Gad (4 of 4)

Gad2

/ (ɡæd) /


nounOld Testament
    • Jacob's sixth son, whose mother was Zilpah, Leah's maid

    • the Israelite tribe descended from him

    • the territory of this tribe, lying to the east of the Jordan and extending southwards from the Sea of Galilee

  1. a prophet and admonisher of David (I Samuel 22; II Samuel 24)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012