fag
1[ fag ]
/ fæg /
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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.
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Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of fag
1An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; by shortening of faggot1
OTHER WORDS FROM fag
fag·gish, adjectiveOther definitions for fag (2 of 2)
fag2
[ fag ]
/ fæg /
verb (used with object), fagged, fag·ging.
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
Origin of fag
2First 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, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use fag in a sentence
Fagged out as they obviously were they tried to smile at the reply one made.
How I Filmed the War|Lieut. Geoffrey H. MalinsFagged out and eager as she was, she had not come to the point of forgetting what a great forest-fire meant.
Judith of Blue Lake Ranch|Jackson GregoryFagged as he was, the air was electric, and he had everything to see.
What Will People Say?|Rupert Hughes
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)
Word Origin for fag
C16 (in the sense: something hanging loose, flap): of obscure origin
British Dictionary definitions for fag (3 of 3)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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