fag

[ fag ]

/ fæg /

Save This Word!

usage alert about fag

The terms fag and faggot are both used with disparaging intent and are perceived as highly insulting. However, faggot (but not fag ) is sometimes used within the gay community as a positive term of self-reference.

noun Slang.

Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a gay man.

Offensive. a contemptible or dislikable person.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of fag

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; by shortening of faggot¹

OTHER WORDS FROM fag

fag·gish, adjective

Words nearby fag

Faeroes, Faeroese, faff, faffy, Fafnir, fag, fagaceous, fag end, Faggi, faggot, faggoting

Other definitions for fag (2 of 2)

fag²

[ fag ]

/ fæg /

verb (used with object), fagged, fag·ging.

to tire or weary by labor; exhaust (often followed by out): The long climb fagged us out.

British. to require (a younger public-school pupil) to do menial chores.

Nautical. to fray or unlay the end of (a rope).

verb (used without object), fagged, fag·ging.

Chiefly British. to work until wearied; work hard: to fag away at French.

British Informal. to do menial chores for an older public-school pupil.

noun

Slang. a cigarette.

a fag end, as of cloth.

a rough or defective spot in a woven fabric; blemish; flaw.

Chiefly British. drudgery; toil.

British Informal. a younger pupil in a British public school required to perform certain menial tasks for, and submit to the hazing of, an older pupil.

a drudge.

Origin of fag

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English fag(ge) “broken thread in cloth, a knot (in cloth), loose end” (further origin obscure); sense development apparently: “drooping end” to “droop, tire” to “make weary” to “drudgery, drudge” (compare flag¹ to flag³); (def. 6) a shortening of fag end (“a butt,” hence a cigarette)

OTHER WORDS FROM fag

un·fagged, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fag in a sentence

Again it is Fag-pie Sunday, from another refection sacred to it in the same county, namely a pie of figs and spices.
Curious Church Customs|Various
Fag Alley was reached and in its vicinity several machine guns were captured, and the teams either killed or taken prisoners.
The Story of the "9th King's" in France|Enos Herbert Glynne Roberts
"Fag wanted," Sinclair murmured, hardly looking up from his imposition.
Sonia Between two Worlds|Stephen McKenna
Fag, a schoolboy who performs a servants offices to a superior schoolmate.
The Slang Dictionary|John Camden Hotten

Lucy returned to the stage for her scenes in the second act (the last in which she appears) with Sir Lucius and Fag.
No Name|Wilkie Collins

British Dictionary definitions for fag (1 of 3)

fag¹

/ (fæɡ) /

noun

informal a boring or wearisome taskit's a fag having to walk all that way

British (esp formerly) a young public school boy who performs menial chores for an older boy or prefect

verb fags, fagging or fagged

(when tr, often foll by out) informal to become or cause to become exhausted by hard toil or work

(usually intr) British to do or cause to do menial chores in a public schoolBrown fags for Lee

Word Origin for fag

C18: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for fag (2 of 3)

fag²

/ (fæɡ) /

noun

British a slang word for cigarette

a fag end, as of cloth

Word Origin for fag

C16 (in the sense: something hanging loose, flap): of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for fag (3 of 3)

fag³

/ (fæɡ) /

noun

slang, mainly US and Canadian short for faggot 2

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

fag

usage alert about fag

Origin of fag

OTHER WORDS FROM fag

Words nearby fag

Other definitions for fag (2 of 2)

Origin of fag

OTHER WORDS FROM fag

Words related to fag

How to use fag in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fag (1 of 3)

Word Origin for fag

British Dictionary definitions for fag (2 of 3)

Word Origin for fag

British Dictionary definitions for fag (3 of 3)